Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) paddle toward the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) on the waters of the East China Sea from combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC).

These boats are small and fast reconnaissance vehicles often called "Cricks" by Sailors and Marines and used by the U.S. military for reconnaissance and waterborne insertions ashore.

On the ship, three teams of line handlers in rubber boots stand in water over their ankles preparing to catch the line, to tow them back to the ship's well deck ramp, until safely docked. Sailors and Marines call the act of launching and recovering the CRRCs from and to the well deck as "splash and recovery" operations.

"It's all about the repetition," said Staff Sgt. Jared Bentley, a launch and recovery officer assigned to the 31st MEU, whose primary duty is to watch for adherence to procedure by 31st MEU Marines during the evolution. "The more reps, the better you get and the more natural it becomes to us."

Recovering the CRRC, is just one piece of preparing the 31st MEU and the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHRESG). The evolution was part of the larger amphibious training plan called, amphibious integration training (AIT).

And after six days of well deck operations and flight operations, Green Bay's crew successfully integrated Marines into all mission areas.

"AIT allows the blue-green team to come together and execute the plan," said Lt. David Nelson, the department head for Deck Department on board Green Bay, and overall responsible for evolutions in the well deck. "If there are issues with that plan, we have time to do it again and make sure we perfect it."

During CRRC operations, Sailors assisted the Marines in safely deploying and recovering the craft from the ship. According to Nelson, these Sailors were responsible for safely bringing the vessels aboard while carefully following the instruction of safety observers to ensure the security of all personnel and equipment involved.

"The hardest part of AIT on a ship is adapting to each other's procedures and techniques," said Bentley. "It can take a lot of effort to get that communication down and really work together."

"While AIT only came a month after our last amphibious exercise, we needed it to refresh and focus on our role in the strike group and supporting the MEU," said Capt. Kristy D. McCallum, commanding officer of Green Bay.

With Marines on board integrated and key capabilities tested, Green Bay is certified as prepared for amphibious operations. According to McCallum, the team will only continue to improve.

"I had the utmost confidence that as soon as we set flight quarters or man the well deck, the Sailors would do great," said McCallum. "They did, and everyday they are getting better."

Green Bay is assigned to BHRESG with USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Ashland (LSD 48), USS Preble (DDG 88), and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, visit www.navy.mil/.