Iwo Jima ARG and 24th MEU Complete ARG/MEU Exercise

From Amphibious Squadron 8 Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) arrives in Mayport, Florida, after completing a 23-day ARG/ Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (ARG/MEU Ex) with the 24th MEU.

This was the first pre-deployment exercise where the Iwo Jima ARG and 24th MEU were fully integrated. The exercise is one in a series to prepare the ships and the MEU for their upcoming deployment.

"The successful completion of ARG/MEU Ex means that we're one step closer to being deployment ready and able to execute national tasking in various operational theaters," said Capt. Timothy Schorr, the commodore of the ARG and commander of Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 8. "It demonstrates that all of the different components of the ARG/MEU team can come together to accomplish any task within the scope of our capabilities."

The exercise is designed to foster a better working relationship between the Sailors and Marines on board. Every facet of their training is put into use during evolutions as varied as damage control on the ship to landing Marines on a beach. Working together smoothly is essential, as these service members will be depending on each other while the ship is deployed in just a few short months.

"It was kind of rough starting off the integration between the Navy and Marines," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Lajuane Lindo, a Bronx, New York, native onboard amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). "However, this underway has been outstanding. We're all on the same page when it comes to getting the mission accomplished."

For Marines onboard, whether they are seasoned or fresh out of boot camp, ship life can be a shocking change from their normal routines. Stairs and walls become ladders and bulkheads. Even a good sense of direction becomes lost quickly in the myriad passageways.

"Most Sailors know that the Marines aren't going to know what to do as soon as they come on so they're pretty helpful, courteous, and respectful," said Lance Cpl. Colton Slabaugh, an avionics technician with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced). "As long as everyone is respectful to each other I think it'll be a good deployment."

As a comprehensive and complex training evolution, ARG/MEU Ex combined the Navy and Marine Corps maritime and sea-to-shore capabilities. Operations included various amphibious operations and ship-to-shore movements, simulated straits transits, day and night flight operations, mass casualty drills, damage control drills, communication emission exercises, weapons familiarization training and visit, board, search and seizure exercises.

"The Sailors and Marines with the ARG and the 24th MEU have done a fantastic job getting us to this point," Schorr said. "They have displayed unrelenting devotion to duty and the ability to overcome any obstacles while still executing each evolution safely."

Iwo Jima ARG is comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).