The Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 29 to participate in Exercise Bold Alligator 2014.
Bold Alligator 2014 is a two-week, multi-national exercise hosted by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps to strengthen core competencies in the areas of amphibious operations and bi-lateral cooperation.
Capt. David Bossert, Kearsarge’s commanding officer, said:
It is naval in nature, but it’s not just a U.S. exercise.
This is a coalition exercise including participants from NATO and allied partner nations.
Bold Alligator is an annual exercise and the largest combined naval exercise on the east coast. The exercise series evolves to meet the demands of the current environment; the focus of this year’s iteration is providing crisis response.
Command Master Chief David Randall, command master chief of Kearsarge, said:
This exercise encompasses 8,500 Marines and 6,500 Sailors from 19 different countries on 17 different ships.
The role of USS Kearsarge includes 2,400 of the world’s finest standing by to participate and observe any contingency that the Navy could be called upon to deal with in the world.
The exercise will consist of a constructed scenario in which a fabricated allied nation, in a region that is the site of disorder, faces the possibility of becoming a failed state and has requested assistance.
Bold Alligator 2014 will demonstrate a strengthened ability to respond to man-made and natural crises around the world and showcase the advantages of theater commanders’ ability to project power ashore without relying on shore-based infrastructure. This ultimately allows amphibious forces to limit the vulnerability and sustainment requirements for shore-based personnel.
Press release, Image: US Navy