Amphibious Exercise Planned

The Marine Corps and Navy have scheduled a joint synthetic exercise for Dec. 11-17, aimed at sharpening amphibious war-fighting skills. During Exercise Bold Alligator, units from the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) and the Second Fleet will train in environments simulated to represent different weather and battlefield scenarios, against potential live-combat adversaries. While the Marines and Navy have found themselves in combat situations in Iraq and Afghanistan that arguably would make the concept of amphibious operations an anachronism, planners believe the new training will prove otherwise. Citing the increase of non-combat amphibious operations during the past 20 years, including humanitarian and rescue missions, Bold Alligator will likely draw upon that experience, says Brig. Gen. Christopher Owens, deputy commanding general of II MEF. "We do have to find a way to keep our amphibious capability and proficiency, and keep it relevant to the types of operations that we are going to be called upon to provide," Owens says.