Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Depart for Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique Pineiro, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed San Diego for deployment Monday, Sept. 17.

The Peleliu ARG, composed of Peleliu, amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), is commanded by Capt. Mark T. Sakaguchi, commander, Amphibious Squadron 3.

Prior to deploying, the ARG completed a myriad of workup exercises, amphibious squadron/Marine expeditionary unit integration, a composite training unit exercise and a certification exercise to prepare for deployment.

During deployment, the Peleliu ARG will be expected to accomplish a variety of missions supporting the Navy's maritime strategy including combat missions, humanitarian assistance, counter-piracy and promoting peace and stability in the regions it enters.

"We're prepared for everything, from humanitarian relief, disaster relief, maritime support operations up to full scale combat," said Sakaguchi. "Whatever the situation is our leaders give us the tasking, we'll respond."

The ships in the ARG hosted a large number of family and friends on board prior to their departure.

"This is my first deployment, and I never thought it would be so hard to leave my wife behind for so long," said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Joshua Quinones, assigned to Peleliu. "I'm sad, but this is what I signed up for."

15th MEU, Peleliu ARG Set Sail for CERTEX

By Cpl. John Robbart III, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- After more than eight months of rigorous training in preparation for a deployment across the Western Pacific, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group are beginning the final certification exercise (CERTEX) Aug 15.

The MEU already conducted two other at-sea periods that focused on skill sets pertaining to the missions a MEU may face while forward deployed. However, CERTEX is different than previous exercises. Marines and Sailors will not know what to expect and will have to react to scenarios quickly using the Marine Corps' Rapid Response Planning Process to prepare for the missions the unit will execute.

"As we enter the final stage of our training cycle, the MEU and ARG are fully prepared to respond as America's 911-force in readiness," said Col. Scott D. Campbell, commanding officer, 15th MEU. "The training up to this point has been realistic, purposeful and very demanding on our Marines and Sailors. They have proven themselves time and again, and they are ready to complete the certification process and move forward to answer our nation's call."

The two-week evolution will also be the final iteration the blue-green team will conduct together before their deployment this fall. During the past few months, the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU have formed a cohesive unit capable of mission planning within a constrained six-hour requirement.

"The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group has rigorously trained for the many missions that we could face on deployment," said Capt. Mark Sakaguchi, commander, Amphibious Squadron 3. "The partnership and skills our blue-green team have developed ensure the Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU are ready to operate forward over a wide range of military operations."

In addition to an unknown training schedule, the MEU staff will also be accompanied by counterparts from other MEUs. They will assess the 15th MEU's capabilities and prepare for future deployments through observation.

CERTEX qualifies the MEU to deploy, and it is also another chance for the Marines and Sailors to get more repetitions of training before conducting actual missions.

"Repetitions equal proficiency," said Campbell. "The more opportunities we have to practice what we do, the more it will make us a stronger, more formidable force."

The MEU is embarked on the Peleliu ARG that consists of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

By the end of CERTEX, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, is expected to give the approval for the 15th MEU to conduct its deployment to the Western Pacific.

Peleliu ARG Completes COMPTUEX

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jasmine Sheard, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed its composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of California, Aug. 7.

The PEL ARG consists of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious landing dock ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20).

"COMPTUEX provided an opportunity for the PEL ARG and the 15th MEU to solidify our relationship and increase familiarity with each other," said Cmdr. Brian Boycourt, Peleliu's operations officer. "Because of dedication to continuous integration, both organizations have a stronger understanding of each other's missions and procedures."

The exercise tested the ARG ships' specific warfare areas and missions, prior to an upcoming deployment.

Planners designed the scenarios to be as realistic as possible to ensure that the ARG is capable of conducting maritime security and flexibility.

"These missions were evaluated over many days while the ARG performed its duties in response to continuous, ever changing scenarios," said Boycourt.

The scenarios included multiple restricted course maneuverings where the ARG's self-defense forces integrated with Marine weapons teams as well as helicopters from the aviation combat element. Additionally, the complex exercise included non-combatant evacuation operations, a mechanized amphibious raid, an island seizure, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, casualty evacuation operations and several Marine insertions.

Flight and well deck operations also played their roles during the exercise by transporting equipment and personnel on helicopters and utility landing craft.

"As Deck department, we played a valuable asset to the mission at hand," said Ensign Brandley Sinoc, Peleliu's boatswain. "With combine efforts, we worked with the combat cargo team to make sure their manifest for personnel and heavy equipment was accurate.

The Air department directly supported the 15th MEU and ACE by conducted 1,061 launches and recoveries, 440 aircraft moves, and 201 elevator evolutions while spending 209 hours at flight quarters. The flagship served as a staging platform for launch and recovery of aircraft. This allowed the Navy/Marine Corps team flexibility for assaults and recovery of simulated injured personnel.

"These exercises continued to improve upon existing relationships and skills within the Navy/Marine Corps team and demonstrated the ability for an ARG to project power ashore," said Capt. Monte Ulmer, Peleliu's air boss. "I could not be happier with the effort, efficiency, and skill with which our Sailors performed during a very demanding COMPTUEX."

To prepare for COMPUTEX, the ships reviewed operational processes, material and training readiness and areas for improvement. Warfare commanders stressed integrated training and learns lessoned from previous deployments.

"COMPTUEX allowed us to practice our pre-planned responses to various situations that we might encounter on deployment, and we were provided the opportunity to practice numerous missions that we could be called on to perform during deployment," said Boycourt.

COMPTUEX promotes Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet's training focus of providing training necessary for an effective global Navy in order to strengthen the ability to respond to crisis and protect the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners.

Peleliu ARG Begins COMPTUEX

Editors Note: For my west coast readers, keep on the watch for HF CWC nets coming up in association with this COMPTUEX. Also you should see a lot of UHF milair as well, especially around Camp Pendleton.

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derek Stroop, Amphibious Squadron Three Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit got underway to participate in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) 2012 off the coast of California, July 18.

COMPTUEX is a pre-deployment certification that evaluates the ARGs ability to conduct military operations at sea and support to expeditionary operations ashore.

It allows Sailors to demonstrate that they are ready to execute integrated expeditionary capabilities of the Maritime Strategy.

The training scenarios are designed to be as realistic as possible, challenging the ARG to ensure they are combat capable and ready for tasking by regional commanders while on deployment.

"COMPTUEX is a complex exercise because it is going to force us to flex our integration capabilities to ensure that we are able to coordinate and plan the various missions that we may face during deployment," said Capt. John Deehr, commanding officer, USS Peleliu (LHA 5). "It will be the first time in the training cycle that we won't know what's going to happen in regards to the scenarios, which is why this training is so valuable."

Each scenario is divided into phases that require participation from the ARG and Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit who are embarked. Scenarios will include counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations, maritime interdiction operations and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations.

"COMPTUEX is designed to prepare the ARG-MEU team to fight together as one cohesive unit," said Capt. Mark Sakaguchi, commander, Amphibious Squadron Three. "The training we conduct now will allow us to operate forward and be ready to execute a wide range of military operations in support of our national strategy."

The ARG will simulate operations ranging from combat operations to humanitarian support missions worldwide. Additionally, real-world operations such as replenishments-at-sea with other vessels will occur during the training time period.

The Peleliu ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and has the 15th MEU embarked throughout these three ships. The guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) will also participate in the exercise.

COMPTUEX 2012 promotes Commander, U.S. 3nd Fleet's training focus of providing realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy in order to strengthen our ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interests of the U.S and its allies and partners.

Peleliu ARG Returns From Deployment

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) returns to San Diego Saturday Dec. 18 after a seven-month deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, conducting humanitarian relief in Pakistan and counter piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.

"The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit worked together and completed a variety of missions during deployment," said Capt. Dale G. Fuller, Amphibious Squadron 3 commander. "I am proud of each Sailor and Marine's dedication, professionalism and honorable service to their country."

The ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8), amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

While deployed, the PEL ARG participated in Exercise Crocodilo in Timor-Leste, conducting a broad range of military-to-military training; including harbor security, weapons, navigation and engineering while the MEU integrated with Indonesian marines for jungle warfare training.

In August, PEL ARG/15th MEU responded to Pakistan's request for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after monsoonal rains flooded much of the country. Fifteen heavy and medium-lift helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced) delivered supplies and rescued those stranded.

Along with U.S. Navy helicopters assigned to Mine Countermeasure Squadron 15, the ARG/MEU delivered five million pounds of relief supplies and evacuated more than 9,000 people throughout 98 days of providing assistance to the people of Pakistan.

Other significant mission contributions from PEL ARG/15th MEU include AV-8B Harriers of Marine Attack Squadron 311 providing close air support for U.S. military ground forces in Afghanistan, sending in a Maritime Raid Force from Dubuque to embark, seize and recover Motor Vessel Magellan Star after it was hijacked by suspected pirates, and Pearl Harbor, along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81), rescued 62 persons stranded at sea after their skiff capsized off the coast of Somalia.

Peleliu, Dubuque and Pearl Harbor help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and humanitarian assistance/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's maritime strategy when forward deployed.

Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group Departs Hawaii, Heads to San Diego

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Foster Bamford, USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) departed Pearl Harbor Dec. 10 to transit to its home port of San Diego on the final leg of its 2010 deployment.

Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) moored at Joint Base Hickam-Pearl Harbor to refuel, on load supplies and embark family and friends for a Tiger Cruise before transiting home.

USS Pearl Harbor arrived in Pearl Harbor Dec. 6 and participated in the commemoration ceremonies on the 69th anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor. It was the first time the ship was able to be in Hawaii on the anniversary of its namesake.

Peleliu and Dubuque both arrived in Pearl Harbor Dec. 9 for a day-long stay.

"Hawaii is a great place to stop on the way home. We know we're back on U.S. soil, and we'll get everything we need for the last week at sea," said Peleliu Command Master Chief (SS/SW/AW) Brent Williams.

During the seven-month deployment, the Peleliu ARG completed a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Pakistan, maritime security and anti-piracy operations throughout the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility and flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Sailors and Marines of the Peleliu ARG return home in time for the holidays, with a scheduled return of Dec. 18.

"I'm really excited to get home and get to spend the holidays with my family," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (SW) Chris Larson, from Arkansas.

USS Peleliu Begins 5th Fleet Deployment

From Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs

USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), the command ship of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and embarked Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) July 14.

The Peleliu ARG is comprised of Peleliu, amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).

Dubuque and Pearl Harbor are scheduled to arrive in the 5th Fleet AOR in late July 2010.

"I am very confident in the capabilities of the Sailors and Marines assigned to this team," said Capt. Dale Fuller, commander, Peleliu ARG. "The successful training and careful preparation we have done since the beginning of the year gives me confidence in our ability to carry out any mission required of us."

PEL ARG and 15th MEU departed San Diego in May 2010 for their regularly scheduled deployment, which began in the 7th Fleet AOR, where embarked Sailors and Marines participated in Exercise Crocodilo in Timor-Leste and Marine Exercise in Indonesia.

PEL ARG and 15th MEU will operate in support of ongoing maritime security operations in the region and will serve as the theater reserve force for U.S. Central Command and report directly to Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, which is responsible for all amphibious forces deployed to 5th Fleet. ESG 5 also oversees the planning and execution of contingency response missions and maritime humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

The 5th Fleet's AOR encompasses 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

USS Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group Enters 7th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Foster Bamford, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) entered the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations May 30 as part of its regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment.

PEL ARG arrived in 7th Fleet with the ability to accomplish a variety of missions outlined in the nation's maritime strategy, including combat missions, humanitarian assistance and promoting peace and stability in the region.

The ready group consists of three ships – amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), and is led Capt. Dale Fuller, Amphibious Squadron 3 commodore.

"Our Navy, Marine Corps team can offer a full range of operational capabilities," said Fuller. "We are fully ready to meet any tasking required by 7th Fleet."

The ready group's more than 3,000 personnel include nearly 1,800 Sailors and 1,400 embarked Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), led by Col. Roy Osborn.

"The Peleliu and our embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit are fully integrated, fully certified and are fully capable of carrying out the [nation's] maritime strategy," said Capt. David Schnell, Peleliu commanding officer. "We are looking forward to transiting through 7th Fleet and to operating in 7th Fleet, to demonstrate those capabilities both operationally as well as in exercises with other countries and other U.S. forces in the region."

Other elements of the PEL ARG include the command element, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3; Fleet Surgical Team 1; Tactical Air Control Squadron 11; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Detachment Five; Assault Craft Unit 1, Detachment F; Assault Craft Unit 5, Detachment B and Beachmaster Unit 1, Detachment D.

The 7th Fleet Area of Operations includes more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean, running from the International Date Line to the eastern coast of Africa, and from the Antarctic to the Kuril Islands, northeast of Japan. It contains more than half of the world's population.

PEL ARG is on a regularly scheduled western Pacific deployment. While in 7th Fleet, PEL ARG reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.

'Wild Cards' Deploy with USS Peleliu

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the "Wild Cards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Detachment 5 departed for a regularly scheduled deployment aboard amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) May 22.

The Wild Cards' maintainers and aircrew have been working around-the-clock for months to implement a new helicopter weapons system package in their MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters.

"Both the aircrews and maintainers had to work extremely hard to learn how to use and upkeep the new system," said Lt. j.g. Stephen Whiteway, HSC-23 pilot. "It is a true testament to the skill and stamina of our Sailors that they were able to prepare the helos in such a short timeframe."

Other squadrons have made this transition with a year or more of preparation. Det. 5 had less than six months from receipt of the new aircraft until they were scheduled to get underway to have the arming completed.

According to Whiteway, the armed helo weapons system is designed to provide anti-surface warfare capability for the MH-60S. The system includes a targeting system that provides a long-range detection capability in both visible light and infrared.

Prior to the installation, the Knighthawk's sole purpose was to transport cargo and personnel and perform search and rescue missions with limited defense capabilities. With the new weapons system they are able to work in an offensive strike and a force protection role.

The new capabilities of the aircraft include eight Hellfire air-to-ground (AGM)-114 laser guided-missiles, infrared detection systems, infrared and radar countermeasures, .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the cabin doors and a tactical data exchange network known as Link 16.

Link 16 is an important part of the squadron's new mission because it allows them to transmit and receive real-time information from any other ship or aircraft in the fleet, greatly increasing awareness of their surroundings and making them an integral part of any fleet protection activities.

"This will be the first time that an amphib ship will have Navy helicopters with these capabilities deployed aboard," said Whiteway. "The new weapons and sensor systems will be a huge help to the [Amphibious Ready Group] as is it conducts various missions during the deployment including counterpiracy and counterterrorism operations."

"This integration will establish a precedence of Navy and Marine Corps cooperation in the future and fulfill such missions as visit, board, search and seizure," said Lt. Diego Lucero, a HSC 23 pilot. "Det. 5 will be the first HSC expeditionary squadron on the West Coast to break new ground of this concept aboard Peleliu."

Peleliu Deploys to Western Pacific

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class R. David Valdez, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) left San Diego May 22 for a scheduled seven-month western Pacific deployment.

"It was very difficult to leave my wife and child," said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Brian Barr. "Nobody really wants to leave their family, friends, or the comforts of home, but we have a mission to carry out with the Marines. My family understands that I have to go, and they support me when I'm at home and when I'm away."

Peleliu, also known as the "Iron Nickel," is following the other two ships in the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG), amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8), which deployed May 18, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), which deployed May 20.

Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are embarked aboard Peleliu to conduct flight operations or amphibious landing operations anywhere within the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Other elements of PEL ARG include Fleet Surgical Team 1; Tactical Air Control Squadron 11; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Detachment 5; Assault Craft Unit 1, Detachment F; Assault Craft Unit 5, Detachment B and Beachmaster Unit 1, Detachment D.

"I was nervous about deploying, but I was excited at the same time," Yeoman Seaman Apprentice Lauren Rohan said. "It was a really weird feeling, but I liked it. I've never done this before, but even though we'll be very busy, I'm going to get to see the world. That's part of why I joined the Navy."

This deployment follows three work-up periods which allowed the different elements of PEL ARG an opportunity to earn required qualifications and familiarize themselves with each other. It is the first Western Pacific deployment for Peleliu since 2008.

Peleliu Wraps Up CERTEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kenneth W. Hunter, Peleliu Public Affairs

USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) completed its final pre-deployment work-up April 26 in preparation for its regularly-scheduled 2010 Western Pacific Deployment (WESTPAC).

PEL ARG, consisting of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Dubuque (LPD 8), amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), is led by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 (PHIBRON) Capt. Dale G. Fuller. PEL ARG and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) together completed the Certification Exercise (CERTEX), a comprehensive, complex training evolution that combined the Navy and Marine Corps' maritime and sea-to-shore capabilities.

Peleliu's mission with the MEU includes providing a response force capable of conducting amphibious operations on land, air, and sea.

"It's mostly a Marine exercise, but the ship plays a very important role in the exercise to make sure our Marine brothers can do their job ashore and at sea effectively," said Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist (SW/AW) Joseph Williams of operations department. "The exercise focuses on operations against waterborne targets, amphibious raids ashore, and humanitarian assistance operations. This exercise is to certify that the MEU can qualify to conduct an array of missions."

According to Maj. Kevin Duffy, operations officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (Reinforced) 165, there were a number of evolutions that the PEL ARG and MEU had to complete prior to the ten-day CERTEX.

"The last two underway periods were PHIBRON / MEU Integration and Composite Unit Training Exercise and various other ground-based evolutions that led up to CERTEX," said Duffy. "I think it went very well, and we are ready for WESTPAC and anything else that we have to do."

While similar to prior pre-deployment exercises, CERTEX is designed to strengthen the blue-green team's ability to operate together, and respond to various situations while deployed.

"Every member of the MEU/ARG team is a key player," said Duffy. "From junior Sailors and Marines, to the top of the chain of command; they have an important part to play."

Peleliu ARG Completes COMPTUEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) R. David Valdez, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, West

USS PELELIU. At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines bolstered their joint warfighting capabilities during a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) held off the Southern California coast, March 17-31.

Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) practiced detailed planning, communication and execution during a variety of missions in order to complete COMPTUEX.

"COMPTUEX provided the ARG an opportunity to exercise our tactical capability in a dynamic, complex, at-sea scenario," said Capt. Dale Fuller, commander, Amphibious Squadron 3. "This prepares the ARG and our Marine counterparts in honing the required skill sets as we lean forward for our scheduled deployment."

COMPTUEX is the second of three at-sea periods for the PEL ARG and 15th MEU. Following PHIBRON-MEU Integration (PMINT) in February, COMPTUEX created a more complex environment for training. Each evolution required a greater level of communication between the ships and their embarked Marines.

"It is my belief that our Navy and Marine Corps team is currently on track to meeting the functional warfighting milestones necessary for us to be prepared for CERTEX, our next training evolution," said Col. Roy Osborn, 15th MEU commanding officer.

Scenarios tested the PEL ARG and 15th MEU's ability to perform maritime security operations, such as counter-piracy operations; as well as real-time operations including refueling at sea, flight operations, and amphibious landings. These are required tasks for the scheduled 2010 deployment.

Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) is the command platform for the Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU. The ARG consists of the command element, Amphibious Squadron 3; amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8); amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52); and embarked units Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Det. 1; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Det. 5; Assault Craft Unit 5, Det. B; Assault Craft Unit 1, Det. F; Beachmaster Unit 1, Det. D; and Fleet Surgical Team 1.