Photo By Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean | U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct Boat Assault Force...... read more read more
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FORT EUSTIS, Virginia. – U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Course from 5-23 Jan. 2023 in order to be certified to conduct real-world maritime interception operations that may arise during their upcoming deployment to Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of operations.
This advanced course was evaluated by the Special Tactics Branch, Expeditionary Operations Training Group, to train and evaluate service members in their ability to execute key Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) mission essential tasks to conduct maritime interception operations.
The course integrated several elements from within the MAGTF including the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), Battalion Landing Team 1/6, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (VMM-162), Combat Logistics Battalion 22 (CLB), including personnel from explosive ordinance disposal, counter-intelligence/human intelligence, and the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group.
The course started with preparatory training on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, which included ladder climbing in the pool, rappelling from a fast rope tower and a movement to Fort Eustis, Virginia to execute Boat Assault Force and Helicopter Assault Force operations on static and moving vessels at sea.
Throughout the course the Marines and Sailors were faced with new challenges, overcoming every obstacle that came their way. For many, this was their first time participating in this type of complex training.
“This is the first time many of the MEU elements have worked together,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Mitch Moore, a platoon commander with the MSPF. “It’s always a challenge trying to get everyone on the same page, however we’ve overcome that and continued to succeed throughout this course.”
Integrating the units together into a cohesive force was critical in order to have success in executing these types of missions while deployed. Marines and Sailors leaving this course add another specialized capability for the MEU commander to utilize for vessels.
“On the ship there are many confined spaces that we had to move through,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Zachery Poster, a team leader with the MSPF. “It’s a lot different than doing close-quarters tactics in an urban environment, so familiarizing ourselves on the ship was something we needed to do and were able to work through.”
Poster said the 26th MEU Marines and Sailors are always up for the challenge and never cease to keep improving their craft.
“We’re always trying to utilize any training opportunities we have to better refine our standard operating procedures,” he said. “When it comes down to it the 26th MEU is Ready, Relevant, and Capable to finish the mission.”
During Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit Training (PMINT), the Marines we’re able to put their skills to the test through the execution of a full mission profile VBSS utilizing 11 meter Naval Special Warfare rigid inflatable boats (RIBS) to locate, board, search, and seize a simulated adversary vessel.
PMINT was the first of several at-sea advanced training exercises associated with the intensive seven-month pre-deployment training continuum for the Bataan Amphibious Group / 26 MEU, designed to foster unit cohesion, integration, and interdependence between the Navy-Marine Corps teams while serving as a venue to refine standing operating procedures associated with maritime and conventional operations within a realistic training scenario.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2023 06:54 |
| Story ID: | 438437 |
| Location: | FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 873 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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