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.
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.
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).
[mappress] Press Release, September 26, 2014; Image: US Navy