AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISE AREA, ARABIAN GULF -- More than 700 Marines and Sailors disembarked two Navy ships, trained alongside the host nation’s Marine Corps and wrapped up a weeklong exercise Dec. 15.
The aviation combat element, ground combat element and logistics combat elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit trained with the host nation’s Marine forces, firing a host of weapons and artillery, integrating aviation and learning basic lifesaving techniques.
“We were fortunate to be truly engaged in such valuable bilateral training,” said Col. Andrew Wilcox, commanding officer of the 11th MEU’s ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 2/4 - known as the Magnificent Bastards.
The exercise culminated with a combined-arms live-fire demonstration that included rotary wing close air support by helicopter gunships, armored maneuver by amphibious vehicles, breaching explosives, laser-guided anti-tank missiles and a combined ground attack of an objective.