VMFA-121 Operating from the USS Wasp

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09/25/2018

A detachment of F-35B Lightning II’s with Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) arrived aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) March 5, marking the first time the aircraft has deployed aboard a U.S. Navy ship and with a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Indo-Asian-Pacific.

The F-35B, assigned under the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, will provide a robust set of sea-based capabilities that will enhance Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary operations.

The aircraft is equally capable of conducting precision strikes inland, supporting Marines inserted ashore or providing air defense for the Expeditionary Strike Group.

EAST CHINA SEA

03.05.2018

USS WASP

USMC Sustainment Training

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09/24/2018

OAHU – U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct Sustainment Training Exercise, July 20, 2018, Hawaii. 

This training allowed Marines and Sailors to sustain skills developed during a comprehensive six-month pre deployment training cycle, and included planning and executing ship-to-shore operations, company-sized helicopter and amphibious raids, combat marksmanship and convoy operations. 

OAHU, U.S. 3RD FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

07.26.2018

Video by Staff Sgt. Joshua Jackson 

13th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Northern Strike 2018

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09/20/2018

Multi-Agency watercraft simulate multiple maritime water range exercise scenarios, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at Alpena CRTC water range over Lake Huron during exercise Northern Strike 18.

Northern Strike 18 is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise uniting service members from many states, multiple service branches and a number of coalition countries during the first three weeks of August 2018 at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, both located in northern Michigan and operated by the Michigan National Guard. 

The accredited Joint National Training Capabilities exercise demonstrates the Michigan National Guard’s ability to provide accessible, readiness-building opportunities for military units from all service branches to achieve and sustain proficiency in conducting mission command, air, sea, and ground maneuver integration, together with the synchronization of fires in a joint, multinational, decisive action environment. 

ALPENA, MI, UNITED STATES

08.14.2018

Video by Senior Master Sgt. Sonia Pawloski 

110th Attack Wi

Joint Training C-130 for Casualty Operations

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09/19/2018

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen practiced transporting patients from ground ambulances to a static C130 at Fort McCoy, WI, on August 16.

The training allowed members of each service to see how the others operate and enhanced their readiness for future joint operations.

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

08.16.2018

Video by Staff Sgt. Sarah Zaler 

201st Press Camp Headquarter

USS Essex Deployment and F-35B

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09/17/2018

INDIAN OCEAN (Sept. 2 2018) 

An F-35B Lightning II, attached to the “Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). 

The Essex ARG and 13th MEU is the first U.S. Navy/Marine Corps team to deploy to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations with the transformational warfighting capabilities of the F-35B Lightning II, making it a more lethal, flexible and persistent force, leading to a more stable region for our partner nations.

The slideshow highlights activities onboard the USS Essex during its deployment. 

INDIAN OCEAN

09.02.2018

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Chandler Harrell 

USS Essex-LHD 2  

HMAS Melbourne

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09/14/2018

HMAS Melbourne deployed for from her home port of Fleet Base East, Sydney, in late May 2018, to participate in Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Exercise RIMPAC 2018, Exercise KAKADU 2018 and the Republic of Korea International Fleet Review 2018.

HMAS Melbourne is one of the Royal Australian Navy’s three Adelaide class guided missile frigates.

The ship is a long-range escort prioritised for area air defence and fully capable of surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines. In order to maintain her effectiveness against contemporary threats, the ship underwent a significant upgrade in the mid-2000s.

This included upgrades to the combat system, radars, sensors and new missiles.

Australian Department of Defence

August 9, 2018

Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 18

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09/12/2018

U.S. Marines pilot a KC-130 Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) and two MV-22 Osprey from tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (VMM-268), fly over Northern Territory, Australia, Aug 17, 2018.

Two KC-130s from VMGR-152 took part in aerial refueling of MV-22 Osprey as part of the Osprey pilots’ re-certification process during Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 18.

NT, AUSTRALIA

08.14.2018

Video by Sgt. Antonio Campbell 

Marine Rotational Force Darwin