USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) is currently participating in Exercise Bold Alligator 2014 (BA14), a multi-national amphibious exercise along the Eastern Seaboard, scheduled to take place Oct. 29-Nov. 10.
BA14 showcases the advantages of sea basing and the Navy and Marine Corps’ full range of amphibious operations and crisis response capabilities.
The exercise also provides the opportunity to enhance amphibious operations, readiness and cooperation with multi-national partners all while strengthening Navy and Marine Corps relationships.
Lt. j.g. Wai Gei Yau, a fire control officer attached to Iwo Jima said:
We have three separate amphibious groups coming together to do the mission.
We are all operating, communicating and working together on a massive scale.
The concept of BA began in 2008 and came to fruition in 2011, providing the largest annual opportunity to validate amphibious warfare at a high level.
BA14 includes 19 nations, five Marine Corps commands, two Marine Corps units constructed for the purpose of this exercise, five Navy units, one Coast Guard unit and 19 Navy and coalition ships. While previous iterations focused on non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) and large-scale forcible entry operations, the focus this year is conducting crisis response operations from the sea, with both technological and live training involving fictional forces.
Amphibious landings, humanitarian assistance, long-range reinforcement of a U.S. Embassy, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel and amphibious raids are just some of the operations scheduled, with most events occurring with little to no warning.
BA14 is scheduled to take place Oct. 29 – Nov. 10 afloat and ashore along the Eastern Seaboard.
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Press Release, Image: US Navy