 |
|
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
Northeast Asia Engagement :: Proliferation Security Initiative Activities Attract International Interest
Cooperative Understanding :: Symposium on East Asia Security:Enhancing Regional Communication, Cooperation, and Understanding Cambodia-U.S. Navies Conduct Historic Exchange
Regional Response Forces :: Indian, Canadian and U.S. Forces Partner for a Safer Asia-Pacific Region RIMPAC
2006: Philippine-U.S. Forces Building Interoperability and Goodwill
Happenings :: |
1 :: 2 ::
3
Amphibious Assault and
Non-Combatant Evacuation Events U.S. Marines from the USS Bonhomme Richard skillfully navigated their Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft across Bellows Beach on Oahu and through trees. The area represented the hostile fictional country of Orange. Infiltrating Orange by helicopter and LCAC, the Marines traversed enemy terrain and took control of the mock U.S. embassy, which was nearly overrun by role players acting as rioters. The Marines then evacuated more than 130 American citizens and four foreign nationals. Once the area was secured, evacuees began arriving in trucks, helicopters, and even some by foot. The evacuees, who were sailors acting as role players, were processed through the Evacuation Command Center (ECC), where Marines performed security checks including identification checks, bag searches, and pat downs. After being evacuated by helicopter and LCAC, the evacuees were brought to Bonhomme Richard, where they were berthed, fed, and provided medical treatment. Navy medical personnel assigned to the ship and embarked with the Marines also responded to a mass casualty drill during the NEO exercise. The NEO was followed by a CH-53D helicopter air raid on a simulated terrorist camp at Dillingham Air Force Base in northern Oahu. In addition, U.S. Marines from the amphibious ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) launched an amphibious assault vehicle raid on a notional terrorist camp in Kaneohe Bay. U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Greene, commanding officer of the USS Bonhomme Richard, said the teamwork between the sailors and Marines was evident in the execution of naval and amphibious operations. “These evolutions take a total Navy/Marine Corps team effort,” he said. “The … team came together quickly and got the job done. Our watch standers and bilateral partners protected us to ensure we were able to execute our mission. Whether we’re taking the fight to our enemies or delivering aid to our friends, our job is to get our Marines where they are needed, on time,” he added. Conclusion Commenting on Chile’s participation in the exercise, Vice Admiral Gerardo Covacevich Castex, chief of naval operations said, “Chilean prosperity relies on trade. The main road for this trade is the Pacific, so we couldn’t be more happy to be participating in this combined exercise.” “We came to enhance our reputation,” said Commodore Richard Shalders, commander of the Australian Navy submarine group. “We’ve been in RIMPAC for more than 30 years as one of the principal players, and every single time, we value what we get by coming this far, particularly from the other side of the Pacific, with half our coastline facing this ocean. RIMPAC provides an opportunity to grow and develop professional forces capable of providing stability in our part of the world.” “We had the opportunity to practice operational-level command and control, as well as flying various tactical air missions during the exercise,” said Canadian Col. John McManus. “Participation in RIMPAC is critical because there is simply no substitute for the experience gained by planning, training, and working in a coalition.” “The exercise was a tremendous opportunity to learn and improve how we work together,” said Vice Adm. Barry Costello, commander, U.S. Third Fleet. “But more importantly, RIMPAC continues to build positive relationships among allied nations who share a common interest in peace, security and stability in the region.”
E-mail: apdforum@apan-info.net |
|
||||||||||||
