Australia
and U.S. in
TANDEM THRUST Amphibious Operation
- continued -
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A U.S. Marine carries
a simulated casualty to safety and medical care during TANDEM
THRUST amphibious operations.
Photo by Spec. Eric
Hughes, USA |
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To
the north on Townsend Island, BLT 1/5 units fired on the ranges.
Forward air controllers also used the ranges to call in precision air
strikes as artillery and 81mm mortars marked the targets.
The Glen Sector in the southern region featured similar training.
Infantry companies used the Marksmanship Training Range and the Fire
Team Fire and Movement Course. Amphibious assault vehicles, light
armored reconnaissance and combined anti-armor teams fired on a separate
range.
The air control element also took advantage of training on the bombing
ranges, providing mobility, flexibility and firepower to the MEU commander.
Two days before the landing, the HMM-265 Dragons launched three CH-53E
Sea Stallions. These helicopters conducted a long-range reconnaissance
and surveillance insertion into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area to
begin the pivotal role the MEU would play in TANDEM THRUST. The
Dragons flew over 250 miles over unknown territory. The mission
was complete before sunrise, and all assets recovered safely aboard
the ARG.
On the day of the landing, 17 helicopters launched to start the assault
against the unsuspecting enemy. “With numerous fixed-wing
aircraft, to include sorties from the carrier air wing on call to the
MEU commander, the air control element ensured the tools of combined
arms were readily available for the ground control element by manning
the tactical air coordination center and aviation support element,”
said Maj. Matthew G. Glavy, executive officer of the air control element.
MSSG-31, the combat service support element, supported the MEU throughout
the exercise, with logistics: transportation, maintenance, supply, engineering,
health services and services support. MSSG-31 quickly established a
beach support area on Blue Beach, and its shore landing team worked
closely with 2RAR’s amphibious beach team to coordinate the landing
of combined forces across Blue Beach.
Collectively, all MEU elements aided in the success of the exercise.
However, the success in TANDEM THRUST was due to the interoperability
achieved between the ADF and the Marines.
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U.S. Marine Amphibious
Assault Vehicles of the 31st MEU(SOC) move across Freshwater
beach during TANDEM THRUST amphibious operations.
Photo by SSgt. John Giles, USMC |
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An Australian Army
Leopard tank of the 1st Armoured Regiment acts as a defending
opposing force for TANDEM THRUST amphibious operations.
Photo by Sgt. Bob
O’Donohoo, Australian Army
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