Sailors, Marines Train to Create a Lethal Joint Force

Sailors assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit recently completed a Composite Training Unit Exercise, successfully demonstrating their ability to jointly create a lethal, warfighting force.

During the three-week exercise, sailors and Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima, the USS San Antonio and the USS Fort Lauderdale demonstrated they were "capable of delivering decisive combat power in any environment at any time," said Navy Capt. Chris Farricker, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 8. "[Their] success shows that we are America's expeditionary quick-reaction force."

The team planned and executed missions including maritime interdiction operations; visit, board, search and seizure; amphibious assaults; tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel; live-fire exercises; reconnaissance and surveillance and noncombat evacuations. Sailors aboard the destroyer USS Bulkeley also took part in the exercise, testing and validating their warfighting capabilities across areas such as maritime security, air defense and surface warfare.

"This exercise wasn't just about individual readiness - it was about building unbreakable bonds and a shared commitment to mission success. We stand ready to answer the nation's call, unified in purpose and unmatched in our combined might," Farricker said.