MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- Sailors of Amphibious Group Three and Marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade boarded ships in San Diego, March 26, in preparation for the largest biennial amphibious exercise in the Western Pacific known as Kernel Blitz-01.
Although a full-scale combat amphibious landing has not been performed since the Korean War, the purpose of the exercise is to evaluate 1st MEB and PHIBGRU-3's ability to plan and conduct a brigade-size amphibious landing operation in a joint environment and to maintain readiness.
"It is an invaluable experience anytime we get to practice with our Navy counterparts," said BGen. James R. Battaglini, commanding general, 1st MEB. "We operate as a Navy-Marine Corps team. Kernel Blitz will improve every aspect of our relationship with PHIBGRU-3."
Approximately 15,000 personnel will participate, to include elements of the Coast Guard, Air Force and Army.
The exercise affords commanders the opportunity to tackle complex warfare challenges in a peacetime environment.
"Our ability to conduct large-scale amphibious landings provides the National Command Authority the versatility and ability to respond to a full range of crises, from forcible entry to humanitarian assistance," said BGen. Battaglini. "All around, it is widely agreed that this exercise will integrate naval and ground forces effectively.
"I am very confident in the professionalism and proficiency of the Marines and Sailors of 1st MEB," said BGen. Battaglini. "I am looking forward to a challenging, safe and successful exercise."
Throughout the exercise, several systems and tactics will be tested to ensure a smooth transition of ground forces from ship to shore.
One system that will be used is an Assault Breaching System (ABS) mounted onto a Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) platform. The system works very much like the current Mine Clearing Line Charge (MCLC) system used with amphibious tracked vehicles, in which a line charge is launched over a mined area and detonates upon reaching it's target. The line charge uses several packages of C-4 explosives embedded in a net type harness to clear the area of mines. The LCAC's will use the system to clear the shallow waters of any mines.
In the meantime, naval forces will conduct several minesweeping exercises in the area, provide live-fire naval gunfire support and participate in several naval force-on-force scenarios, much like what could be expected in an actual amphibious operation.
While all the objectives are being met, the command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) architecture in the joint environment will be fully evaluated. The exercise will effectively work out any problems that may be encountered by the different systems the Navy and Marine Corps uses.
After nine days of preparation, Marine forces will storm the beaches of Camp Pendleton and begin operational maneuvers.
During these maneuvers, 1st MEB's mission is to open sea lines of communication, seize a beachhead, and secure an airfield.
Once the beach is secured, elements of the Army National Guard will come ashore to simulate the lead element of a larger follow-on force.
Once all the objectives are taken and the enemy is defeated, the 1st MEB will then retrograde and prepare for follow-on missions.
Historically amphibious landings often generate significant combat casualties. Kernel Blitz will also allow medical units to realistically train in the transportation, assessing and treating large numbers of casualties.
However, the exercise will be implemented with complete regard for safety of service members and environmental resources.
It is through the small unit commander's use of operational risk management in the planning and execution of this exercise that safety has become paramount.
"The 1st MEB is a great choice to respond to smaller scale contingencies that are so prevalent in today's word," said BGen. Battaglini. "We will practice now to be ready for future challenges."