The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), along with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed their Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Aug. 7.
CERTEX is a comprehensive set of training exercises that combines Navy and Marine Corps amphibious capabilities.
“The single most essential objective of this Certification Exercise is that the Navy and Marine Corps team are able to expertly plan and execute incredibly complex tasks in a compressed and stressed decision space,” said Capt. Malcolm Potts, Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1. “I am awed and impressed by the ingenuity, creativity, and industriousness of the nearly 4,200 dedicated Sailors and Marines that make up the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Boxer Amphibious Ready Group.”
The Boxer ARG was evaluated on a number of critical scenarios during CERTEX ranging from combat flight operations, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), to noncombatant evacuation operations (NEO), and amphibious landings.
“We train how we fight,” said Master Chief Machinist Mate (SW) Shane Lazio, Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) for Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1. “I was able to watch the evolution and it was perfect, everything from Sailors and Marines cooking chow to Marines on LCACs (Landing Craft Air Cushion) going to the beach and training. It was very seamless, very unique, having the whole team working together.”
The Boxer ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), the dock landing ship USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD 49), as well as the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18).
CERTEX is intended as the final evaluation before the 13th MEU and the Boxer ARG’s upcoming fall deployment to certify their readiness to conduct integrated missions across the full spectrum of military operations. Boxer will be the first West Coast-based ship to deploy with the MV-22 Osprey.
U.S. Third Fleet provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.
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Press Release, August 6, 2013; Image: US Navy