Operation Skyfall

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
03/31/2015

03/31/2015: Service members from the United States, Germany, Italy and Canada prepare for the first day of airborne operations during Operation Skyfall 2015.

Operation Skyfall is a joint, multi-lateral combat camera subject matter expert exchange hosted by the 982nd Combat Camera Company, which takes place at multiple locations in Georgia.

Operation Skyfall is an event which focuses on interoperability of combat camera training and capturing Airborne operations with three partner nations and multi-service units

Credit:1st Combat Camera Squadron:3/17/15

 

Visiting Djibouti: November 2014

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

03/31/2015: In November 2014, Second Line of Defense Co-Founder, Murielle Delaporte, visited the French and American forces in Djibouti. 

These photos highlight some aspects of that visit and we will shortly have an overview on Djibouti and on the role of French forces there informed by that visit.

Djibouti is uniquely located “near a tectonic triple junction, where three tectonic plates meet: African, Arabian and Somali, reads its geological description referring to the Red Sea fault, the Gulf of Aden fault and the Somalian Rift.

Similarly, French armed forces based on the territory guarding the Bab El Mandel straight are assigned missions on a triple front: African, Arabian and Somali…

French forces stationed in Djibouti are therefore strongly relying on the legacy of decades of presence in the area to tackle new challenges and responsibilities in a unique and rapidly evolving multinational framework.

  • In the first photo, the French amphibious ship, Tonnerre, is seen in the Djibouti harbor.
  • In the second photo, Asian, including Chinese.ships are seen in the harbor.
  • In the third photo, the fault lines of three tectonic plates are pictured.
  • The fourth is a graphic showing the prepositioning of French forces as of January 2015. The remaining photos show French forces, generally, and US Marines, exercising with French forces in Djibouti.

These photos are credited to the French Ministry of Defense. 

The second, third and tenth photos are credited to Murielle Delaporte.

 

 

 

 

HMH-366 External Lift Training

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
03/30/2015

03/30/2015: U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 and Combat Logistics Battalion 22 conduct external lift training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 07, 2015.

The training consisted of CH-53E Super Stallions and embarkation Marines rehearsing the insertion and extraction of cargo through air support.

Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera:1/7/15

 

Eagle Resolve 2015: US and Kuwaiti Forces in Amphibious Training Exercises

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

03/30/2015: U.S. and Kuwaiti forces rehearse an amphibious landing on Failaka Island, east of Kuwait City in the Arabian Gulf.

Highlights include:

  • Kuwaiti Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats, Kuwaiti AH-64D Apache “Longbow” and AS 332B “Super Puma” helicopters,
  • U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles from the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (assigned to the USS Fort McHenry),
  • U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles from 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment
  • And U.S. Navy F/A-18C “Hornets” from the USS Carl Vinson.

Credit:1st Combat Camera Squadron:3/23/15

According to a story written by 1st Lt. Joshua Larson and published on the USMC website:

FAILAKA ISLAND, Kuwait – 

U.S. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and other U.S. forces joined Gulf Cooperation Council nations and other international partners in an amphibious landing scenario during Exercise Eagle Resolve 2015 at Failaka Island, Kuwait, March 23-25, 2015.

The scenario was a combined assault comprised of U.S., Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar ground and air platforms.

The event brought together many aspects of combat, from tactics to higher-headquarters and interagency coordination.

At the end, the event served to allow participants to address security challenges in a low-risk environment.

In this case, one that involved several nations. “Each country has the ability to make inputs and adjust this exercise to develop it exactly how they want—depending on what they’re most concerned about—and this is the culmination of it,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Rick Mattson, U.S. Central Command director of exercises and training and the U.S. director for Eagle Resolve.

Mattson said the training showed how far this coalition has come since planning began over a year ago, but also how well the host nation’s government agencies came together. 

“This is the first time we’ve done that. We’re much stronger as a group,” he said. The amphibious landing scenario consisted of simulated attacks, complete with preparation fires on the beach from U.S. Navy aircraft and Kuwaiti attack helicopters.

U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles from the 24th MEU’s ground combat element and landing craft from the U.S. Navy’s USS Fort McHenry off the coast joined hovercraft from Kuwait’s Navy to launch a host of dismounted troops from five nations ashore.

“This is a complex mission,” said Capt. BrycesonTenold, the commanding officer of Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th MEU.

“Integrating surface craft, air assets and ground forces requires considerable planning and coordination.”

The scenario demonstrated how to integrate each nation’s strengths into a single mission, he said.

Two days of rehearsals culminated March 25 when the forces landed on the beach in front of a crowd of senior civilian and military leaders, including the Kuwaiti defense minister.

“Practice makes perfect,” said Cpl. Miguel Ordonez, a squad leader with Kilo Co. “Failaka Island is a unique area and such a great place to train. On top of that, it’s not every day we get to train with our partner nations. We’re grateful to Kuwait for being such great hosts.”

In addition to the amphibious landing, Eagle Resolve consisted of a Command Post Exercise and a Senior Leader Seminar.

The CPX focused on air defense concepts, border security operations, counterterrorism operations and procedures to consequence management, which included the 24th MEU’s consequence management team.

The exercise ended in a seminar designed to allow key commanders from the U.S. and GCC a forum to discuss military issues of regional significance.

In all, a total of around 5,000 personnel from 29 countries participated in the exercise.

Coordination proved to be the key to success—a success enjoyed by all service members. Surely, the Marines are now better prepared to join their counterparts, and now friends, in the Arabian Gulf region for any potential future missions. 

The 24th MEU will return to the ships of the Iwo Jima ARG at the conclusion of Eagle Resolve and continue on their deployment, maintaining regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

 

 

 

Eagle Resolve Amphibious Exercise

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

03/30/2015: Qatari and Kuwaiti helicopters fly over the Arabian Gulf as a U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion transports ground forces during a simulated amphibious assault on Failaka Island on March 25, 2015, during Exercise Eagle Resolve 2015.

The exercise affords 29 partner nations the opportunity to address the regional challenges associated with asymmetric/unconventional warfare in a multi-national environment.

This is the Government of Kuwait’s first time hosting Eagle Resolve; which is the premiere Arabian Peninsula/Gulf Region exercise between the United States, Gulf Cooperation Council nations and other international partners.

Credit: USAF:3/25/15

 

  • In the second photo, a Kuwaiti AH-64D Apache helicotpter flies over U.S. and partner nation forces as they conduct a simulated amphibious assault on Failaka Island on March 25, 2015, during Exercise Eagle Resolve 2015.
  • In the third photo, assault forces fast rope out of a Qatari helicopter while U.S. and partner nation forces clear buildings during a simulated amphibious assault on Failaka Island on March 25, 2015, during Exercise Eagle Resolve 2015.
  • In the final photo, members of the Kuwait military raise the Kuwait flag, ending a simulated amphibious assault on Failaka Island on March 25, 2015, during Exercise Eagle Resolve 2015.

 

 

HMAS Canberra Going Through Its Paces: Boarding Team Training

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
03/29/2015

03/29/2015: HMAS Canberra is the latest addition to the Royal Australian Navy and introduces amphibious capability to the force.

According to the Royal Australian Navy, the Canberra is an important addition to the fleet.

HMAS Canberra is the lead ship of the two ship Canberra class Amphibious Assault Ships otherwise known as a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD). Based on the Buque de Proyección Estratégica (Strategic Projection Ship) design by Spanish shipbuilders Navantia.

At 27,000 tonnes, the LHDs are the largest ships ever constructed for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and are being built by contractors BAE Systems Australia and Navantia. The ships will provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world.

The ships will contribute directly to the defence of Australia and its national interests, and also allow the ADF to provide large-scale humanitarian assistance, at home or in our region.

A conventional steel mono hull design is employed with the superstructure located on the starboard side of the flight deck. They are designed with the shallowest possible draft to operate in secondary ports and harbours as well as manoeuvre in the shallow waters common in the littoral regions.

There are four main decks; heavy vehicle, accommodation, hangar and light vehicles and flight decks.

The construction of the hull to the level of the flight deck and the majority of fit-out is being undertaken at Navantia’s shipyard in Ferrol, Spain. The hull was then transported by Heavy Lift Ship MV Blue Marlin to BAE Systems’s shipyard in Williamstown, Victoria for final construction and fit-out such as the consolidation of the superstructure and installation of the Combat and Communication Systems.

The first LHD was named Canberra in an official naval ceremony on 15 February 2013. Canberrais the third ship to bear the name after the Kent class heavy cruiser and Adelaide class guided missile frigate.

Contractor sea trials commenced in February 2014 and were completed in September 2014. The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) accepted NUSHIP Canberra from BAE Systems in October 2014 and she sailed to her home port at Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Sydney later that month.

Canberra will be able to conduct amphibious operations and land a force of over 1,000 embarked personnel along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores by LCM-1E landing craft, helicopters or a combination of both.

Canberra is capable of conducting large-scale humanitarian and disaster relief missions. The medical facility is of a size and scope of which would rival some regional hospitals equipped with two operating theatres, an eight bed Critical Care Unit, and a variety of low and medium dependency beds. In addition, the medical facility has dedicated areas to accommodate pathology and radiology services, x-ray, pharmacy and dental facilities.

Canberra carries the pennant number L02 and not L01, even though it was the first of its class to be built. Adelaide will carry pennant number L01. This is so the two ships’ pennant numbers will conform to the convention adopted with their namesakes in the Adelaide class.

HMAS Canberra was commissioned and joined the Royal Australian Navy fleet in an official ceremony at Fleet Base East, Sydney on 28 November 2014. In March 2015, HMAS Canberra was formally designated the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy.

 

 In the video on the HMAS Canberra boarding party published by the Australian Ministry of Defense on March 23, 2015, the training for the boarding party is highlighted.

Credit Video: INSERT HERE

The South Koreans, the Japanese and the Australians are all adding amphibious capabilities to their defense forces which means in part that collaboration with the USN-USMC team in shaping regional concepts of operations involving amphibious ships will be worked interactively and collaboratively.

Looking Back: USMC Ospreys and Harriers Aboard the HMS Illustrious

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
03/27/2015

03/25/2015: By Robbin Laird

In 2007, the HMS Illustrious was the first non-US ship on which an Osprey was to land.

I had the opportunity to be aboard one of those Ospreys and land on the ship and observe Marines working with the Royal Navy and operating their Harriers off of the jump-jet carrier as part of their training effort.

At the time British Harriers were operating in Iraq and not aboard the ship itself.

These photos show the Osprey and USMC Harriers operating aboard HMS Illustrious in the 2007 training exercise and are credited to Second Line of Defense. 

The final photo is credited to the Royal Navy and was shot when in September 2013, the Osprey landed again on the ship.

According to a Royal Navy story published in 2013:

Six years ago HMS Illustrious became the first non-US ship to fly an Osprey and was pleased to welcome one back on board with it completing a total of four deck landings.

Piloting the US Marine Corp aircraft as it landed at dusk was a Royal Navy Lieutenant – Alan Wootton – a former Army Air Corps pilot who transferred to the Royal Navy as a Lynx pilot.

 Al is on a three year exchange with the US Marine Corps and flew with co-pilot Captain Goudy of the United States Marine Corps.

Lieutenant Commander Nigel Terry, deputy head of HMS Illustrious’ Flight Department was also on board when the Osprey visited in 2007.

He said: “Opportunities like this present an invaluable opportunity to continue to grow our ability to work together with other nations.

This is absolutely essential in modern naval operations.

 “It allows us to grow our understanding of our different procedures as well as providing valuable training for our deck crews…..”

Until recently, USS Kearsarge had three Royal Navy aircraft handlers embarked as part of the Long Lead Specialist Skills Programme. 

This programme seeks to retain and develop the specialist skills required to operate the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers which are under construction at Rosyth dockyard.

Three US Marines and six US Navy personnel also visited HMS Illustrious during the rendezvous.

HMS Illustrious is currently part of the Response Force Task Group deployed on Cougar 13 operating in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Horn of Africa.

It involves exercising with partner nations, and will show the UK Armed Forces’ capacity to project an effective maritime component anywhere in the world as part of the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group as commanded by Commodore Paddy McAlpine.

Recently, in an interview at Camp Lejeune, Major General Simcock, the CG of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, spoke of the importance of evolving a global amphibious fleet, where Marines need to train and be able to work with allies and partners off of their ships as well US Navy ships. 

Clearly, the kind of relationship the UK and the US has evolved is an example of this.

With the coming of the USS America, and the revitalization of the large deck amphibious ships with the twin operations of Ospreys and F-35Bs, there is a clear opportunity to expand those relationships with foreign warships, which can either operate the Osprey or the F-35B.

And with the British building the largest warship they have ever built coming on line in the period ahead, opportunities for shaping USN-USMC and British collaborative con-ops will go up as well.