11/30/2011: The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 8 conducted their first at-sea training evolution during the PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training exercise, known as PMINT, which was scheduled for Oct. 24 to Nov. 3, on board the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall off the coast of North Carolina.
The training is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establishing the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 team conducted a variety of operations to meet these goals using all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.The Marines took advantage of the opportunity to train with their Navy counterparts by focusing on deck landing qualifications for their aircraft, refining procedures for the Rapid Response Planning Process, embarkation training with Navy landing craft and Marine assault amphibian vehicles (AAV) and overall integration of the ‘Blue-Green’ team to prepare for their upcoming deployment scheduled for early 2012.
Credit: 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit:10/31/2011