Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), completed a two-week PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) exercise off the east coast of the United States Sept. 23.

During PMINT, more than 1,800 Sailors from Bataan, amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), along with 1,400 Marines from the 24th MEU integrated for the first time to complete a series of exercises designed to enhance interoperability between Sailors and Marines.

Carter Hall's participation took place from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, as the ship was undergoing maintenance.

"PMINT was a resounding success," said Capt. Eric N. Pfister, commanding officer of Bataan. "We had a chance to train face-to-face, exercise equipment and procedures, and really get a solid start."

PMINT is comprised of a three-phase evolution and is typically about two weeks of training exercises. The first phase is embarkation. Sailors and Marines work together to practice mission essential tasks like flight deck qualifications, amphibious assaults, transportation of vehicles and gear from shore to ship and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel.

"The purpose of this exercise is the three ships, Navy support elements and the MEU come together to work collectively in the same place, at the same time," said Pfister. "Our next evolution will be our midterm, the ARG/MEU exercise, where we will have inspectors grading our homework, followed by the final phase, COMPTUEX (Composite Training Unit Exercise), which will be like our final exam."

While underway, the embarked MEU personnel conducted integrated warfighting operations through a series of planning exercises, surface gunnery and communication scenarios and air defense exercises.

"Although we've been building this team for a few months now, this is our first at-sea period, where we will begin to develop 'muscle memory in the basics,'" said Col. Ryan Rideout, commanding officer of the 24th MEU. "A large percentage of us have not operated aboard ship in a while, and for most of our Marines this is their first time. That said, I couldn't be happier with what I've seen so far, which is shaping up to be an extremely capable Navy and Marine Corps team."

Marines flew a variety of aircraft from their Aviation Combat Element for training, including the MV-22B Osprey, the AV-8B Harrier, the AH-1 Cobra, CH-53E Super Stallion and the UH-1N Huey.
Upon the completion of PMINT, the BATARG will continue with its remaining exercises in preparation to deploy more effectively in early 2017.

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