The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3),elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and the Turkish navy completed Egemen 2015, Oct. 28.

Egemen is a Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise designed to increase tactical proficiencies and interoperability among participants.

Quotes:

"I appreciate your partnership and efforts of all the men and women from the planning process until now. I express my gratitude to all participants and hospitality onboard USS Kearsarge."

- Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Aydin Sirin, mission commander,
Exercise Egemen 2015

"Egemen 2015 was a huge success, demonstrating our ability to project forces ashore, from both sea and air, to promote security and stability in the region. The exercise reinforced our commitment as allies."

- Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, commodore, Amphibious Squadron Four

"This exercise offered a unique opportunity to showcase our collective abilities to conduct expeditionary operations from the sea, demonstrating our steadfast resolve as long-standing NATO allies. The Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit were honored to participate in Exercise Egemen 2015 with the Turkish Navy and Marines."

- Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

"High-end tactical level training of this type reassures forces of both nations that when called upon, NATO can respond. The trust that develops in this type of exercise is priceless."

- Capt. David L. Bossert, commanding officer, USS Kearsarge

Quick Facts:

The exercise launched near Foca Naval Base, Foca, Turkey, where staff members and military planners from Kearsarge, Amphibious Squadron 4, 26th MEU, and the Turkish Navy, as well as observers from the Republic of South Korea and the United Kingdom, participated in a luncheon and a pre-sail planning conference.

Turkish Navy Rear Adm. Aydin Sirin and his staff embarked aboard Kearsarge to exercise command and control through the four-day exercise.

The exercise provided Kearsarge and members from the 26th MEU four days of training to enhance mission-critical skillsets, including surface warfare tactics, amphibious landing operations, and non-combatant evacuation operations.

The exercise involved maritime, amphibious and air operations. U.S. and Turkish Marines executed visit, board, search and seizure drills aboard a Turkish vessel, and completed an assault that included the tactical employment of aircraft in support of maritime and amphibious operations.

The exercise provided an opportunity which enhanced both countries' interoperability and strengthened partnerships.

USS Kearsarge, the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, is comprised of Kearsarge, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and embarked elements of Marines from the 26th MEU, deployed to the 6th Fleet area of operation in support of U.S. national security interests.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.