Amphibious Military Operations During Deployment Ranged From Exercises To Preparation For Crisis Response

Current events in the Middle East were a focus for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during a recent eight-month deployment, and the Navy and Marine Corps personnel were ready for exercises in Jordan, ongoing conflict in Syria, and increased tension in Egypt.

The military commanders of the two units discussed challenges related to current events, logistics and equipment during a brief at the Potomac Institute Dec. 5.  Navy Capt. Jim Cody commands the Kearsarge ARG, and Marine Corps Col. Matthew St. Clair commands the 26th MEU.  The three-ship ARG included about 4,000 Sailors and Marines and the 26th MEU.

In the months prior to deployment, the Marines and Sailors prepared for humanitarian missions, which could include helping countries neighboring conflict areas in case of refugee moves and other security issues.

The two commanders also discussed the mix of old and new equipment they used during the deployment, specifically the air assets – from helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles.  Changes in technology for ships and aircraft will change the face of the deploying units in the future, as they prepare for missions ranging from combat to logistics to search and rescue. 

The next big decks amphibious ship will not have a well deck for smaller surface vehicles to bring heavy equipment to the shore, so that equipment will have to be lighter for air assets to carry it.  Heavier equipment will have to be forward staged or brought in by larger Military Sealift Command ships.

"Combating Hizballah's Global Network" Report Gives Realistic Assessment of Challenges

In light of the growing debate over the Geneva deal with Iran, the tactical and strategic role of Hizballah, Tehran’s major terrorist proxy in the Middle East and beyond, is becoming more critical for any future diplomatic negotiations.

The new timely publication on “Combating Hizballah’s Global Network” provides an updated reality-check on the nature and potential challenges of Iran’s most effective terrorist tool in the coming months and years. It was co-authored by Professor Yonah Alexander (Director, Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies), Dr. Matthew Levitt (Director, Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, Senior Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy), Professor Amit Kumar (Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown), and Dan Mariaschin (Executive Vice President at B'nai B'rith International).

The just released report focuses on Hizballah’s ideology, objectives, organizational structures, major terrorist activities around the world, the Iranian connection, and what the international community, particularly the United States and Europe can do to confront the growing threat to all societies.

Tehran's Bomb Challenge:  Crossroads, Roadblocks, and Roadmaps to Rapprochement?

In light of the growing debate over the Geneva deal with Iran as illustrated by the Senate’s move toward a new sanctions bill, a panel of experts will provide a timely assessment on issues such as the nuclear “red line” status, options for future trade-offs negotiations, and short and long term regional and global strategic implications.

The discussion takes place Thursday, Dec. 5, at noon, at the Potomac Institute.

The Keynote Speaker is The Honorable Bijan R. Kian, the highest ranking Iranian-American to serve two U.S. presidents. He also held other senior government positions. In addition, he had a distinguished career in both business and academia. Currently, he is a senior fellow, Naval Postgraduate School.

Panelists include:        

• Ambassador Noam Katz, Former Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Ghana, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  Currently, Minister of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C.
• Dr. Anthony Fainberg, A physicist; former FAA Director of Office of Policy and Planning for Aviation Security and currently consultant for the Institute for Defense Analyses.
• Alan Makovsky, Former senior staff member Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Congress and a specialist on Middle East Affairs.

Returning Commander Speaker Series Highlights Navy and Marine Corps Contribution to National Security

More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) have just returned home after an eight-month deployment that saw them support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

CAPT Jim Cody, Amphibious Squadron 4 Commander, and Col Matthew St. Clair, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Commander, will provide an overview of the sea services' efforts and answer questions.

After departing last March 11 from Norfolk and Little Creek, VA and Camp Lejeune, NC, the KSARG/26th MEU sailed to the 5th Fleet's area of responsibility in the Middle East. There, the ARG/MEU team participated in four major multinational exercises designed to strengthen coalition partnerships and reinforce regional security and stability, including Exercise Eager Lion 2013 in Jordan. KSARG/26th MEU also spent time in the Mediterranean supporting 6th Fleet contingency operations.

As an expeditionary crisis response force operating from the sea, the MEU is proficient across the range of military operations, from amphibious assaults, raids and maritime interdiction operations to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and non-combatant evacuation operations. While conducting pre-deployment training before its March departure, the 26th MEU deployed in November 2012 aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) in support of Hurricane Sandy disaster relief efforts in New York and New Jersey.