Photo By Cpl. Jered Stone | 180402-M-WP334-0019 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 2, 2018) – U.S. Marines...... read more read more
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U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 2, 2018) – Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), announced the commencement of a two-week amphibious training event in international waters off the coast of Djibouti, Africa, scheduled to begin today.
Alligator Dagger is the largest regional amphibious combat rehearsal to integrate and synchronize TF 51/5’s warfighting capabilities and those of adjacent U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Special Operations Forces units.
“USS Iwo Jima’s Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are prepared to rehearse a variety of tactical capabilities in this demanding and globally vital region,” said Marine Brig. Gen. Frank Donovan, commander of TF 51/5. “This critical amphibious combat proficiency training will ensure our integrated Navy and Marine Corps forces are postured and prepared to execute operations at sea, from the sea and ashore.”
USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), named after Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller – one of the most decorated members of the Marine Corps, the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) and the 26th MEU are scheduled to participate.
"Alligator Dagger allows us to employ the breadth and depth of our combined arms team in an extremely challenging expeditionary environment characterized by extreme temperatures and unforgiving terrain,” said Col. Farrell J. Sullivan, commanding officer of the 26th MEU. “This combat rehearsal allows us to practice our key mission essential tasks spanning the range of military operations to resolve conflict, conduct humanitarian assistance and/or combat the enemy in remote, austere environments that would otherwise be inaccessible.”
Alligator Dagger will provide Iwo Jima and Oak Hill an opportunity to enhance capabilities in critical mission sets. Using landing craft and Iwo Jima’s embarked aircraft, the ships will provide a flexible and ready amphibious capability to deliver 26th MEU Marines, equipment and supplies ashore.
“We must be a crisis response force ready to execute mission-essential tasks for our component commanders,” said Capt. Jack Killman, commander of Amphibious Squadron 4. “Alligator Dagger will
keep the Iwo Jima ARG ready to effectively deliver a multi-capable amphibious force to austere environments by air or sea.”
Alligator Dagger is the premier integrated combat proficiency training the U.S Navy and Marine Corps team engage in during their deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Specifically, this exercise will enable the military to execute amphibious training; live-fire; visit, board, search and seizure; tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel as well as air assault evolutions.
“When it comes to crisis response, the ARG/MEU team is the force of choice,” said Sullivan. “This training will help us keep our edge sharp and keep the Marines and Sailors focused. When called upon, we will be ready.”
For more information about TF 51/5 visit our website www.tf515.marines.mil or subscribe to our DVIDS page https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AlligatorDagger. Contact TF 51/5 Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Arnold at Sandra.arnold@me.usmc.mil or Marine Capt. Monica Witt at monica.witt@me.usmc.mil.
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2018 06:21 |
| Story ID: | 271442 |
| Location: | U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Web Views: | 3,585 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Largest regional amphibious combat rehearsal to commence in Djibouti, Africa, by LCDR Sandra Arnold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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