The Sailors and Marines of Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) returned to Norfolk, Virginia, May 15, following a 12-day at-sea PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) off the coast of North Carolina. During the nearly two-week underway period, amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the command ship for PHIBRON 4 and the 26th MEU, operated with amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) for the first of a three-phase certification process to test the Amphibious Ready Group's (ARG) mission readiness. ARGs and MEUs complete PMINT during their pre-deployment work-up cycle, and the overall focus is to facilitate integration of the Navy and Marine Corps blue-green team through staff planning exercises and an amphibious landing exercise. "This was the first phase of training for the ARG-MEU team to combine forces for the practice and integration of our amphibious techniques," said Oak Hill Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Bowman. "This critical exercise was carried out with tremendous professionalism, and unprecedented teamwork by our Sailors and Marines. As we move forward into the next phases of training, our blue-green team will continue to work together and set the bar for success as we move toward our deployment later this year." Since PMINT was the ship's first underway in nearly 70 days, Oak Hill's task seemed that much more of a mountain to climb. "It was easy to see that our crew was ready for the challenge from day one," said Cmdr. Nakia M. Cooper, Oak Hill's executive officer. "Out of the gate, our Sailors and Marines overcame high winds and heavy seas to recover a landing craft unit (LCU) from Assault Craft Unit-2 (ACU-2). The rest of the exercise was carried out with this same type of unprecedented professionalism and proficiency." Oak Hill sailed south with the rest of the ARG and continued well-deck operations May 5, retrieving multiple landing craft air cushion (LCACs), unloading essential personnel and equipment for amphibious exercises and conducting essential flight operations for re-certification of the Oak Hill's flight deck. During PMINT, Oak Hill finished the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), where the Operations department was inspected during a detect-to-engage exercise with the ship's Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers and close-in weapon system (CIWS) mounts tracking an aircraft. During this evolution, Oak Hill's rookie Ship's Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Interpretation and Examination (SNOOPIE) team, that consisted of Sailors from various departments, practiced obtaining photographic and video intelligence in preparation for Oak Hill's deployment. In addition during INSURV, the ship's Engineering department excelled during Full Power Runs and Rudder Swing Checks. Also, Deck department shined in its anchor drop tests. Oak Hill is scheduled to deploy later this year and will set out with a wide range of capabilities to conduct crisis response, noncombatant evacuation, aviation and amphibious operations. For more news from USS Oak Hill, visit http://www.navy.mil/