African Lion 2012 - Amphibious Operations

Nice Nice

FAMAS a écrit:

Citation :

African Lion 12 ready to roar: Marine Forces Africa conducts final planning conference

During two weeks of intense training scheduled for mid-April, Task Force African Lion is planning to conduct a variety of exercises, which will include: field and aviation training, humanitarian civic assistance, amphibious landings, intelligence capacity building, and command post and peace support operations.

http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforaf/Pages/AfricanLion12.aspx#.TzE85sVedn4

Nice

à noter que le nombre de soldats US est moins que l'année dérnière ( AL-11 c'était 2000 marins et marines )

un regain d'intérêt aux opérations amphibies ne peut qu'être bénéfique
mais à ce que je sache nos plateformes de landing sont presque hors jeux ?!!

d'un coté, il se peut que les marocains participent avec un débarquement à partir des unités de l'USN/MC ... ou encore, avec des BATRALs comme avec les espagnoles chaque année.

Mais ceci par contre me rappelle un exercice Amphibie avec les US en 93/94 ... préparant l'arrivée du 407 ...

Sinon ... remarquez que ce sont des officiers de la MRM là

Citation :

Capt. Jim Philpot, MFA lead planner for African Lion 12, signs the documents necessary making the future of African Lion 12 official at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces southern headquarters facilities, Jan. 27. "We are honored to have the opportunity to continue this essential partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States. African Lion is our largest exercise on the continent that provides military personnel from both countries a venue to plan, coordinate and execute military operations while strengthening bonds of professionalism and friendship,” Philpot said

Citation :

Col. Roger Garay and Moroccan Col. Maj. Brahim Hassani, along with lead elements of the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, MFA, the MEU, and the aviation squadrons, sign the documents necessary making the future of African Lion 12 official at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces southern headquarters facilities, Jan. 27. Garay, commander of the 14th Marine Regiment, out of Fort Worth, Texas, will lead Task Force African Lion 12, comprised of more than 1,200 Marines, sailors and soldiers, and Hassani, will be the AL-12 lead planner for more than 900 Royal Moroccan soldiers throughout the bi-lateral exercise.

Citation :

Col. Roger Garay shakes hands with Moroccan Col. Maj. Brahim Hassani, at the closing ceremony of the African Lion 12 final planning conference at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces southern headquarters facilities, Jan. 27. During two weeks of intense, bi-lateral training scheduled for mid-April, Task Force African Lion is planning to conduct a variety of exercises, to include: field and aviation training, humanitarian civic assistance, amphibious landings, intelligence capacity building, and command post and peace support operations.

Citation :

Col. Roger Garay and Moroccan Col. Maj. Brahim Hassani, along with lead elements of the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, MFA, the MEU, and the aviation squadrons, sign the documents necessary making the future of African Lion 12 official at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces southern headquarters facilities, Jan. 27. Garay, commander of the 14th Marine Regiment, will lead Task Force African Lion 12, comprised of more than 1,200 Marines, sailors and soldiers, and Hassani, will be the AL-12 lead planner for more than 900 Royal Moroccan soldiers throughout the bi-lateral exercise.

3 Types d'unités amphibies : LHD, LSD, LPD

Citation :

NC Marines finish loading Va. Navy ships, deploy


NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The Marines say they have finished loading the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Navy ships and are headed across the Atlantic Ocean on an eight-month deployment.

The ships will patrol the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility, which include parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Among other things, the Marines will participate in an exercise with Moroccan forces.

The Marines said Friday they spent the past several days loading the ships of the Virginia-based Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group off the coast of North Carolina. The Marine unit is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The ships of the amphibious readiness group are the USS Iwo Jima*, USS Gunston Hall** and USS New York***.

http://www.nbc12.com/story/17295252/nc-marines-finish-loading-va-navy-ships-deploy

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Iwo_Jima_%28LHD-7%29

** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gunston_Hall_%28LSD-44%29

*** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_York_%28LPD-21%29

sinon

Citation :

14th Marine Regiment To Train With Moroccan Military


FORT WORTH -- The Fort Worth-based 14th Marine Regiment, on a steady diet of Iraq and Afghanistan deployments for eight years, is readying itself for yet another deployment to a Muslim country.

Except this time, the country is Morocco, the war is practice and the objective is cooperation, not combat. That has led to a whole different level of excitement, and far less anxiety, for the reservists who are shipping out of Naval Air Station Fort Worth, where the regiment is headquartered.

Morocco, south of Spain and home to such famously exotic cities as Casablanca and Marrakech, was the first country to seek diplomatic relations with the U.S., in 1777, only two years after the founding of the Marine Corps.

"If they hadn't volunteered me for it, I would have volunteered," said Staff Sgt. John Perkins, a Farmers Branch firefighter who has served in the unit for 10 years. "I've worked with Iraqis and Afghans, but I've never gotten the chance to work in a joint combat operations center in a high-level environment."

For only the second time, the Marine reserves are commanding a major joint training exercise overseas with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. Dubbed African Lion,Ithe exercise falls under the U.S. Africa Command, which didn't exist until 2007 and reflects a greater emphasis on nation building on the continent.

More than 1,200 U.S. military personnel, including 250 Marine reservists from North Texas, will participate in the exercise, which begins in early April. An advance team left Sunday night. The rest will leave later this week.

Col. Roger Garay, commander of the 14th Marines, said the U.S. personnel will work with Moroccans on anti-terrorism initiatives, intelligence gathering and combat exercises and will provide humanitarian assistance in remote areas.

Active-duty Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., reservists from Marine Aircraft Group 41 in Fort Worth, Army National Guard soldiers from Utah and California, Air Force communications specialists and Navy medical personnel will all play a role.

The U.S. has in recent years sought to improve its relationships with African nations, and the events of the Arab Spring have driven that point home further. Although not nearly as widely known or deadly as uprisings in Egypt, Libya and Syria, thousands of people protested for reforms in Morocco in 2011.

Morocco was already a moderate Arab state, but King Mohammed gave more power to the parliament and increased the independence of the judiciary.

"If we can get the Moroccans to work with their neighbors too, who then might work with us in the future, it promotes stability and cooperation,"Garay said. "We need more stability in that part of the world."

The exercise has drawn high-level military and civilian interest in the U.S. and Morocco and been given far more support than an ordinary training event, Garay said. The fact that it is being led by a reserve unit is evidence to Garay that the unit has proved its worth over the past eight years in Iraq andUAfghanistan.

"This is precedent-setting stuff," he said. "The Marine Corps is working hard to operationalize the reserves. The reserve outfit we have today has so much capability from having gained experience in the fight the last few years."

Not every Marine making the trip is a veteran of deployments, however.

http://www.military.com/news/article/marine-corps-news/14th-marine-regiment-to-train-with-moroccan-military.html?comp=700001076338&rank=4

ca sera la première sortie hors US pour le USS NY
C'est ce navire qui a étais construit avec des reste du WTC

Citation :

Iwo Jima ARG Enters 6th Fleet, a First for USS New York

"During our time here, we will be in support of both EUCOM and AFRICOM and will participate in exercise African Lion with Morocco. We have spent a long time during work-ups preparing for any contingency that may arise while we are in the 6th Fleet AOR. The team is ready."

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=66367

Citation :

Citation :

MOROCCO - A Navy hovercraft, commonly called an LCAC (landing craft air-cushioned)

Spoiler:

Remake de l'Opération Torch !

C'est l'arrivée du groupe Amphibie Iwo Jima au large de nos côtes sud

Spoiler:

Moroccan Participation ... débarquement des AAV à partir de l'USS New York

Citation :

The training allowed the Marines to introduce the Moroccan troops to the unique capabilities of the assault amphibious vehicle that the Marines drove to the beach that morning from the USS New York off the coast of Morocco.

Citation :

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up their command operations center on the beach in Morocco, April 9, 2012, during Exercise African Lion 12, after landing on a beach in Morocco during Exercise African Lion 12. The 24th MEU is participating in the exercise to continue to build on relationships between the U.S. and Moroccan forces and learn about each other's militaries. This exercise is the first event for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which deployed in March on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force.

Citation :

Staff Sgt. Rod McDaniel, center, the landing support chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, talks to his Marines about their roles and responsibilities during ship to shore movements, April 9, 2012, after they landed on a beach in Morocco during Exercise African Lion 12. The 24th MEU is participating in the exercise to continue to build on relationships between the U.S. and Moroccan forces and learn about each other's militaries. This exercise is the first event for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which deployed in March on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force.

impatient de faire un tour en Cadilac le marocain !

c'est des nouveaux casques ça ?

Fremo a écrit:

Moroccan Participation ... débarquement des AAV à partir de l'USS New York

non les casque Gallet ( dont certain sont fabriquer au Maroc) sont la depuis longtemps, sauf que ca a l'air de se généraliser

C'est ce que j'ai remarqué,

les unités d'artellerie qu'on a vu dans les images du M109A5 l'utilisaient aussi je pense

Citation :

Citation :

A member of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces prepares to ride in an assault amphibious vehicle with Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditiona

Spoiler:

Citation :

A Navy hovercraft, commonly called an LCAC (landing craft air-cushioned), from Assault Craft Unit 4, transports mission essential gear, tactical vehicles and Marines, from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, onto a beach during ship to shore movements, April 9, 2012, off the coast of Morocco during Exercise African Lion 12. The 24th MEU is participating in the exercise to continue to build on relationships between the U.S. and Moroccan forces and learn about each other's militaries. This exercise is the first event for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which deployed in March on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/557315/african-lion-2012#.T4YAScVLZLg#ixzz1rlw2Wc1O

Citation :

USS New York Participates in African Lion 2012

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock landing ship USS New York (LPD 21) began participating and serving as the supporting platform for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during during the commencement of African Lion 2012, April 9.

African Lion 2012, is a bi-lateral theatre and security exercise in conjunction with Royal Moroccan Armed Forces designed to promote inter-operability and coordination between nations, in addition to ensuring regional peace.

Capt. Richard Busch, operations and fire support officer for Marines embarked aboard New York, considers African Lion a great opportunity to strengthen positive relations abroad.

"This exercise is training to enhance mutual understanding of each country's tactics, techniques, and procedures," said Busch. "It will also reinforce a long standing relationship with the Moroccan people."

Staff Sgt. Adrian Rondini, is excited about being able to participate in the exercise.

"I think it's a great opportunity to work with a different force and learn some tactics, and to teach them some of our own," said Rondini. "It's an awesome opportunity anytime we can join efforts with other countries, and it helps build a reputation in case we have future obligations."

While the exercise predominantly demonstrates the capabilities of the MEU, New York will play a supporting role by facilitating air and amphibious operations. Helicopters from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 (reinforced) airlifted munitions from the ship's flight deck while pre-staging equipment ashore. In addition, landing craft air cushions (LCAC) from Amphibious Craft Unit (ACU) 4 have transported MEU assets from the ship's well deck.

Quartermaster 2nd Class Amy Klemarczyk, an ACU Sailor, said she is proud of her unit's involvement in the operation.

"Without the LCACs we wouldn't be able to transport the MEU and get the mission done," said Klemarczyk.

New York is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th MEU. New York is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. USS New York is the sixth ship named for the state of New York, and the fifth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio Class. Her motto is "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget."


USN

Citation :

Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) and Sailors maneuver an AH-1W Cobra helicopter from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21).

Spoiler:

Citation :

Moroccans join 24th MEU for Amphibious ‘Day at the Beach’ during African Lion 12



MOROCCO - Marines and Sailors of Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, landed on the shores of the Kingdom of Morocco, April 10, to participate in Exercise African Lion 12.

Alpha Company discussed Marine infantry weapon systems, amphibious assaults, and American culture with their Moroccan counterparts.

The Moroccans don’t have Assault Amphibious Vehicles so they work primarily with fast boats,” said 1st Lt. Alexander George, Alpha Company’s executive officer. “These kinds of assaults are what they’d like to do, so this training is perfect for them.”

Alpha Company is designed specifically for amphibious assaults and owns all the BLT’s AAVs, which allow them to tactically move from ship to shore and engage enemy positions, if necessary. Often, an amphibious assault resembles infantry squad maneuvers, but with vehicles.

Marines and Moroccans shared the tight quarters of Alpha Company’s AAVs and stormed the beaches together during every amphibious assault drill; it was a joint exercise from the start. Executing amphibious landings alongside the Moroccans showed them what they could be capable of, said George.

Morocco has a diverse culture; the Moroccans speak Arabic but also French, Spanish and English, among others. The Marines found that many Moroccan’s English is limited but despite the language barrier, the Moroccans embraced their warrior brethren as soon as the Marines hit the shore and spent a good portion of the early part of training taking pictures with Marines and Sailors.

Coming to America

The exercise also included taking the Moroccans to the heart of America – or at least the next closest thing. The Royal Moroccan Soldiers hitched rides on AAVs to the amphibious ship USS New York, parked more than a mile off the coast.

The Moroccans were very excited to board the ship. Many of them expressed their appreciation of Americans and Western culture, especially classic icons like Michael Jordan.

They broke into smaller groups and Marine noncommissioned officers guided them throughout the ship, showing them the gym, living spaces, mess hall, flight deck, and bow. Throughout the trip, the Moroccans quizzed the Marines on various aspects of Western popular culture, especially sports and music.

“I spoke to one guy who said he always loved America but now he finally got to meet one and come onto their ship,” said Cpl. Robert A. Dahlhausen, an Arabic cryptologic linguist who served as an interpreter for the tour. “I talked to a lot of them, and they said the tour was great. It was big, the food was good, and everything was nice considering we live on a ship.”

In the mess hall, Marines and Moroccans discussed differences in local cuisine. Falafel, couscous and kufta are staples of the Moroccan diet, but the Moroccans accepted the full American tour and filled up on burgers, chicken fingers and fries – what most would consider typical American fare – and said they loved it.

“They love American culture and love the opportunity to meet Americans and train with us,” said Dahlhausen.

Adapting Tactics

Back on shore, a group of Moroccan Soldiers was selected to train with Alpha Company’s Marines, and they spent a lot of time focused on small-unit tactics for an amphibious landing.

The beach assault gave them an opportunity to try a different tactical approach to a shared threat. They paired into different AAVs, hit the water, and then turned around to assault the beach – Marines and Moroccans storming ashore together.

“The Moroccans looked good out there,” said Capt. Robert May, Alpha Company commanding officer. “The Marines looked good too. It was a successful beach landing with our two forces working together.”

The Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU and Soldiers of the Royal Moroccan Army shared training tactics and cultures, but most importantly, they shared experiences. Both militaries learned important aspects about each other’s military that will undoubtedly benefit both Americans and Moroccans for future operations in any clime and place.

Exercise African Lion 12 is scheduled through the middle of April. U.S. forces involved in the exercise include Marines and Sailors from the 24th MEU and the 14th Marine Regiment, a reserve unit based out of Fort Worth, Texas, and Soldiers from the Utah National Guard.

DVIDS

Le fait d'intégrer une partie amphibie aux exercices AL ne peut s'expliquer que par une volonté d'acquérir des nouveaux skills en vue d'améliorer les capacités amphibie de la MRM dont la modernisation est prêvue pour les 10 à 12 années ...

Citation :

US Ambassador to Morocco, senior officers visit Marines and sailors aboard USS Iwo Jima


OFF THE COAST OF MOROCCO – The U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Sam Kaplan, along with senior members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the commanding general of U.S. Africa Command, Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, spent an afternoon with members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group aboard the USS Iwo Jima, April 16, to learn about the unique capabilities of the amphibious assault ship and the Marines who operate from it.

Also with the group were Marine Maj. Gen. Rex McMillian, commander of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, and Marine Brig. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, deputy commander of Marine Forces Africa and Marine Forces Europe.

The visit was part of a key leader engagement between Americans and Moroccans as the bi-lateral training exercise African Lion 12 comes to a close. Over the past 10 days, Marines from the 24th MEU have launched from all three ships of the Iwo Jima ARG to conduct a variety of training exercises with the Moroccan military, which included live-fire ranges, classes on weapons and tactics, and familiarization with the Marine Corps’ assault amphibious vehicles.

The visitors were picked up and brought out to the ship after a quick ride on two of the 24th MEU’s MV-22 Ospreys.
The commanders of the 24th MEU, Iwo Jima ARG and USS Iwo Jima hosted the ambassador and Moroccan officers for lunch while Ham, McMillian and Chiarotti ate with junior Marines and sailors on the mess deck.

After lunch, the visitors gathered in the ship’s hangar bay where Kaplan and Ham spoke a few words to the troops before speaking personally with dozens of Marines who waited to show off the weapons and equipment that enable them to accomplish the MEU’s various missions. snipers, mortarmen and assaultmen from the MEU’s infantry component displayed rifles, rockets, mortars and optics while artillerymen from 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, discussed their newest weapon, the 120 mm towed mortar system.
Col. Frank Donovan, the 24th MEU commanding officer, grabbed an opportunity in the ship’s well deck to explain the particulars of the MEU/ARG team’s amphibious capabilities to Kaplan.

“The ambassador represents the face of America in a foreign country,” said Donovan. “Ambassador Kaplan created this opportunity to train with Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and, as the first MEU to participate in Exercise African Lion, it was a great way to not only say thank you but also show him the capabilities and capacities of the Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary team.”
One of the key goals of Exercise African Lion is to promote partnership between each nation’s militaries. With a long deployment still in front of him, the 24th MEU commanding officer expressed his gratitude to his Moroccan guests.

“We’re leaving Morocco with seven-and-a-half months ahead of us, better trained for what’s ahead because of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces,” said Donovan.

DVIDS

Citation :

Members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces read the 9-11 commemorative banner on the USS New York during their tour of the ship, which was part African Lion 12, a bi-lateral training exercise on the shores of Morocco, April 11, 2012. The training allowed the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to introduce the Moroccan troops to the unique capabilities of the assault amphibious vehicle, which the Marines used to bring the Moroccans to the ship that morning. This exercise is the first event for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which deployed in March on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force.

Citation :

A member of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces checks the sights of a mortar after a weapons class provided by the Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, on the shores of Morocco, April 10, 2012, during the bi-lateral training exercise African Lion 12. This exercise is the first event for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which deployed in March on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force.

Citation :

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces members along with Marines and Sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, execute an amphibious assault drill on the shores of Morocco, April 10, 2012, during the bi-lateral training exercise African Lion 12. This exercise is the first event for the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which deployed in March on a regularly scheduled deployment to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force.

Citation :

Iwo Jima ARG, 24th MEU Complete African Lion
By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jamica Johnson, Amphibious Squadron 8 Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)in conjunction with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG completed joint and bilateral exercise CJCS Exercise African Lion 2012, April 17.

The exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. military services served as integrated field training for the ARG/MEU team, prior to arriving at their operational station for deployment 2012.

"This exercise gave us a chance to do a couple of things," said Col. Frank Donovan, 24th MEU commanding officer. "We set sail on deployment across the Atlantic, straight into a large scale exercise where we were able to hone our abilities of ship-to-shore, ship-to-objective maneuvering, air and surface operations with the blue-green team, doing bi-lateral operations with the Moroccans, in turn, developing partners and allied relationships. It was a great way to start a deployment."

The Joint Task Force (JTF), led by Marine Forces Africa (MARFORAF), were designated as JTF-MOROCCO and a Task Force (TF) led by 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division were designated as TF-African Lion, giving the exercise great historical and operational importance, being one of the first times an ARG/MEU team has been carried out as an all land based operation.

"This year's exercise was unique in two ways," said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Fabrizio, PHIBRON 8's operations officer. "First, Morocco was one of the first countries to acknowledge American independence when initially becoming a country, so we have had long historical ties with them. The importance of the IWO ARG /24 MEU team's participation in African Lion is that, in previous years, the exercise participants were all land based. This was the first year when a sea based MEU, operating from an ARG at sea, participated in the exercise."

The preparation for the large scale bi-national exercise was concurrent with the ARG/MEU team's work up cycle for deployment. It took various levels of planning and acute attention to detail. Some planners from PHIBRON 8 and 24th MEU met with planning teams in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility as early as Aug. 2011.

"It took a lot of rapid planning and planning adjustments to be able to take advantage of opportunities to operate in a very foreign environment," said Donovan. "To prove that the skill-set we have does work and at the end we were able to meet, train with and establish a relationship with our partners, the armed forces of Morocco was an amazing opportunity."

In order to accomplish missions of the 24th MEU, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and USS New York (LPD 21)executed a combined total of 38 ship-to-shore movements. This included 24 landing craft air cushion (LCAC's) movements and 14 amphibious assault vehicle (AAV's) landings in order to transport the Marines and their equipment. Also, 51 vehicles were moved ashore aboard the LCACs for the Marines to accomplish their mission in the exercise.

Along with the sense of achievement and accomplishment in the air, is the weighted and despondent feeling in the hearts of many on board.

"I think the ARG/MEU team did a great job. It was a great balance of what we trained for," said Donovan. "We were able to pick up where we left off in our pre-deployment training and continue on. The tough part is, obviously, we had a crash during the exercise and you can't go without always thinking about the families and condolences, thoughts and prayers that we need to continue for them back home."

"I do not think you can overstate how important our relationship with Morocco is to our national security," said Capt. Mark H. Scovill, commander of Iwo Jima ARG. "This is a key ally, and we need to prove we are inter-operable with them, especially in view of their strategic location."

The Straits of Gibraltar, separating the Kingdom of Morocco and Spain, is 7.7 nautical miles wide and thousands of merchant and U.S. Navy ships pass through annually. This location is of the utmost strategic importance in the region for the freedom, safety and security of world-wide merchant shipping and U.S. Navy ships transiting.


The ARG/MEU team set aside time during the operation to honor and grieve their fallen brothers-in-arms, assuring each other that although the mission would go on, their memory would be celebrated and not forgotten.

"Losing men makes it very hard to think about how dangerous this job is," said Donovan. "It also provides us an opportunity to step back and say, are we focused and diligent enough, while doing my job on the daily basis to ensure the best chance for success and safety during the mission? It shows how every single day we must show incredible levels of courage, honor strength and skill, in every task."

By the conclusion of African Lion, more than 87 bi-lateral training events and demonstrations had been achieved with the Royal Moroccan and U.S. military. In total, more than 345 flight hours had been logged. For both surface and air movements, more than 70 people had been transported with more than 600 items, totaling more than 45,000 pounds between the shore and ships, including food and parts for aircraft, ships and vehicles.

"This was a great way to warm up before a long deployment. It was very successful and very rewarding in a lot of cases," said Donovan.

The Iwo Jima ARG with the embarked 24th MEU is currently deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
USN

Ont dirait que la MR s'interesse de plus en plus au moyens Amphibie/Débarquement.

Surtout ont dirait qu'ont s'interesse au AAV..

Cela confirme également l'interet des autres branches (AH1W et M1A1..)

Citation :

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 16, 2012) Officers from the Royal Moroccan Army tour the medical triage of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).