The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) departed San Diego August 31 to participate in Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015.
New Orleans joins other Naval and ground forces from the United States, Japan, New Zealand and Mexico in the ten day exercise which will sharpen the troops’ ability to plan and conduct an amphibious assault.
In preparation for the upcoming amphibious assault, New Orleans recovered 16 amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) off the coast of Camp Pendleton. During the raid, Sailors and Marines will work together to launch the AAVs in support of the full range of military operations as required by combatant commanders.
Dawn Blitz 2015 involves Amphibious Force 3, a composite of 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Expeditionary Strike Group 3. BLT 1/5, of 1st Marine Division, is embarked aboard New Orleans and will utilize combat rubber raiding crafts (CRRC) and AAVs to conduct an amphibious landing as part of the exercise.
Image: US Navy