The Wasp Amphibious Readiness Group completed its Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (ARGMEUEX), April 24.
ARGMEUEX is the first event that is officially evaluated by Commander Carrier Strike Group 4.
The exercise provides an opportunity for the Wasp ARG, made up of Commander Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 6, amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), to build on the relationships and routines developed during previous underway periods and training evolutions.
“ARGMEUEX gives us an opportunity to rehearse missions we will be asked to do once we deploy,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Cory Martin, executive officer, 22nd MEU . “The training we do early on during these work-ups will better prepare us for conducting a full spectrum of operations.”
During the exercise, Sailors and Marines worked together to conduct flight operations, noncombatant evacuation exercises, simulated raids and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) drills. ARGMEUEX enables Sailors and Marines to integrate, communicate and operate together effectively.
“Many of the challenges we will face on deployment are similar to the ones faced during ARGMEUEX,” said Capt. Kurt Kastner, commanding officer, USS Wasp . “These missions will require full blue-green integration and this will challenge the entire team.”
The last milestone scheduled for Wasp ARG’s deployment workup cycle is Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The three-week graded exercise will demonstrate the Wasp ARG’s ability to operate in unison through all its mission areas in preparation for deployment.
Image: US Navy