USA: Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, 24th MEU Host Secretary of Defense Officials

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) hosted Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Forces Dr. Kathleen Hicks aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Feb. 7.

Hicks, who holds a doctorate in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received a tour of the warship. She and her staff were also briefed on topics including the Navy-Marine Corps team’s capabilities relating to future amphibious operations and the development of innovative, low-cost and small-footprint approaches to achieve security objectives.

“What we have laid out for you today, is a slice of what we’ve been doing to get prepared to deploy, as well as some of what we foresee the ARG-MEU team accomplishing in the future,” said Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer of 24th MEU, during Hicks’ and her staff’s welcome aboard.

“Our job as the Navy is to make sure that the Marines get the best possible support on the beach when they’re on the objective,” said Capt. Mark H. Scovill, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8), during his welcome aboard remarks to Hicks and her staff. “The harder they flex themselves, the harder we flex to match their needs and you will see some of that today.”

Hicks and her staff, were given a MEU brief in the ship’s ceremonial forecastle, where they viewed plotted charts of how the ARG-MEU team operates together. They were then escorted to the hangar bay, where they viewed static displays of Marine vehicles and helicopters. They also toured the ship’s debark control station where they observed flight deck operations.

“What they saw when they went below decks were 225 infantrymen getting ready to launch a training mission, getting to see first hand, America’s best, doing what they do best,” said Donovan.

Prior to their departure, Hicks and her staff, were presented with gifts and photos as keepsakes of their visit aboard Iwo Jima from PHIBRON 8 and 24th MEU.

The Iwo Jima is currently underway participating in Bold Alligator 2012 and Certification Exercise(CERTEX). CERTEX is the final certification for deployment for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima ARG before their scheduled spring deployment.

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Naval Today Staff , February 10, 2012