13th MEU (SOC), Coalition Forces demonstrate amphibious capabilities at Exercise Brig

[thedrifter]

13th MEU (SOC), Coalition Forces demonstrate amphibious capabilities at Exercise Bright Star
13th MEU
Story by: Capt. Amy E. Malugani

MUBARAK MILITARY CITY, Egypt (Sept. 15, 2005) -- Coalition forces participating in Exercise Bright Star successfully conducted an Amphibious Assault demonstration on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Sept 15. The demonstration is one of six major training evolutions planned throughout the six-week exercise in Egypt designed to enhance the cohesion and interoperability of coalition forces.

Marines and Sailors from Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1), Amphibious Squadron One (CPR – 1) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) worked closely with Greek, Egyptian and Jordanian forces to demonstrate the effectiveness of combined-joint operations from ship to shore.

Bright Star is a "combined joint computer-aided command post exercise" and a field training exercise using tactical air, ground, naval and special operations forces designed to build understanding, friendship, cooperation and cohesiveness among coalition forces.

Army Gen. John Abizaid, U.S. Central Command commanding general, attended the amphibious demonstration to observe U.S. forces working hand-in-hand with coalition partners.

“It is important to demonstrate cooperation in this part of world, and the ability to fight when we have to,” he said. “We’ve demonstrated that today.”

The demonstrations began with an Egyptian Ranger company rapidly hitting the beach in twelve fast rubber assault boats, known as Zodiacs. As the Zodiacs hit the beach, the Rangers continued on foot to establish security on the beach for oncoming personnel and equipment.

Coalition aircraft provided simulated close air support and strike capabilities throughout the demonstration as waves of ground forces assaulted the beach. One of the highlights of the demonstration was the support provided by the 13th MEU (SOC) Air Combat Element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (REIN). Marine AV-8B Harrier Fighter Jets and AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters flew overhead demonstrating the effectiveness and capabilities of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Together with the U.S. Navy, the MEU serves as the nation’s forward deployed, quick response team, capable of accomplishing numerous missions around the world to include amphibious assaults, direct-action raids, humanitarian assistance operations and tactical non-combatant withdrawal.

While coalition air assets provided high volume tactical air support to inhibit enemy maneuver and mobility, Sailors from Beach Master Unit One, CPR-1, directed landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles to the beach to offload ground forces and essential equipment.

The ESG-1 commander, Navy Rear Admiral Michael LeFever observed Marines and Sailors working together with coalition forces from the beach.

“The ESG proved the ability to work as part of a coalition. The Greek, Egyptian and Jordanian forces seamlessly integrated into our amphibious operations, and we staged a very successful landing,” he said.

The second wave of the assault hit the beach in seven U.S. Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) and five Egyptian Topaz vehicles carrying Egyptian infantry and U.S. Marines from Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/1.

The initial waves of an assault provide supporting arms and direct fire as directed based on the enemy situation. Leading assault elements cleared sufficient space across the beach in depth, to ensure secure offloading of incoming landing craft.

The next wave of the assault carried the preponderance of coalition forces and equipment. Egyptian, Jordanian, U.S. and Greek forces approached the beach in United States and Greek landing crafts utility, known as LCUs, and landing crafts air cushioned, commonly referred as LCAC, which originally departed from the USS Pearl Harbor.

The last wave of the demonstration consisted of one United States LCU carrying two Egyptian 155mm Howitzer guns. Coalition commanders and honored guests watched as the LCUs landed and offloaded at the center of the beach.

The final waves of amphibious assaults provide equipment and logistics necessary to sustain forces and operations ashore.

Abizaid showed his appreciation of the demonstration to Marines from BLT 2/1’s Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, greeting Marines with firm handshakes and presenting them with his commander’s coin.

One of the Marines recognized was Sgt. David Nygren of LAR platoon, who summed up his part in the demonstration.

“Although we only had a small piece in the demo today, I think we (the U.S. Navy and Marines) showed we can effectively work together with coalition forces.”

For more information about the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), visit the unit's Web site at www.usmc.mil/13thmeu.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

13th MEU (SOC), Coalition Forces visit Pyramids at 300 knots during Bright Star '05
13th MEU
Story by: Cpl. Andy Hurt

CAIRO(Sept.15, 2005) -- In a show of multinational military relations, fixed-wing assets from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and three countries planned and executed a fly-by at the ancient Pyramids of Giza during Exercise Bright Star today.

The coalition exercise has brought several participating and observing countries, and approx. 8,600 U.S. troops into northern Egypt for the duration of the exercise, which spans six weeks, broken down into three phases.

“It was basically a multi-national handshake,” said Sgt. Justin R. Peterson, a Deerborn, Mich., native. “It shows that we’re all willing to use our assets to support our coalition missions.”

Peterson, an aerial observer from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (reinforced), was one of eight Marines from the 13th MEU(SOC) to observe the fly-over from a CH-46E “Sea Knight” helicopter.

Careful planning from French, Egyptian and U.S. forces, including the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marines, hurdled language barriers, airspace restrictions and flight protocol to carry a French Mirage 2000, Egyptian F-16, Air Force F-15 and Marine AV-8B Harrier fighter attack jets through the low-altitude flight at a speed of 300 knots.

“To be political about it, this was a public display and execution of a peaceful mission by Coalition Forces,” explained Bourbeau. “The end result is a cool fly-by over the pyramids, but a lot of planning went into this. It just showed how well these countries worked together.”

Bourbeau also stressed the idea that the sight of friendly forces flying in formation was a time-tested morale-booster.

“I have a lot of friends who are infantry officers, and they all say the same thing: There is always something exhilarating about seeing friendly aircraft fly by.”

Although the exercise has faced the typical difficulties of bringing so many countries together in the early days of the exercise, the Egyptian government opened its arms to the idea of the goodwill flight.

“It’s one thing for us to fly by,” he said. “But to do circles for two hours (as an observer) is really amazing. We weren’t able to take pictures (in certain areas), but somehow they let us fly by their most famous possession.”

The young pilot was just one servicemember in attendance who was an awe of the mysterious beauty of the ancient treasures.

“I mean, the Sphinx was there!” said Bourbeau, looking into his gesturing hands.
Lance Cpl. Andy Kitfield, a CH-46E Crew Chief from HMM-163 (rein), shared his own thoughts of the event.

“My wife would be so stoked,” said the Sulphur, La., native. “Every time I talk with her, she says she’s so jealous about what we get to do. But this also shows that we’re not just at war with other countries, and it’s important to build relationships and learn from each other.”
Other Marines, like Cpl. Chris Willis of HMM 163 (REIN), offered his prospective on how tourists at the Pyramids may have perceived the coalition fly by.

“There are some people out there today who got to see (Coalition) military assets, and it probably made their day,” said the native Mellow Valley, Ala. “I know it made mine.”

In the same light, Marine Cpl. Bradley Hussey, a native of Belfast, Maine, exclaimed, “I would have been taking pictures of us!” Hussey said the experience was as educational for him as it was breathtaking.

The opportunity to see, in detail, how Coalition Forces are coming together every day in support of one another, was a rare opportunity and one he will remember forever.

“To come to another country and find out how they work is really educational,” explained Hussey. “I mean, who comes to see the Pyramids at 300 knots?”

For more information about Exercise Bright Star and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, visit the unit’s Web site at www.usmc.mil/13thmeu.

Ellie