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U.S. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, board a CH-46E Sea Knight on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard during training exercise Dawn Blitz, May 24. The exercise is a joint forces maneuver that involves more than 4,000 Marines and sailors and nine Navy ships that began May 24, and is scheduled through June 4.

Photo by Pfc. John Robbart III

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Dawn Blitz brings Marines back to their amphibious roots

24 May 2010 | Pfc. John Robbart III Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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USS BONHOMME RICHARD -- To keep Marines’ and sailors’ amphibious skills sharp, I Marine Expeditionary Force and the U.S. Navy 3rd Fleet are in the midst of a special two-week off-shore training exercise that began May 24, and is scheduled through June 4.

The exercise, called Dawn Blitz, is a joint forces maneuver that involves more than 4,000 Marines and sailors and nine Navy ships.

The first week of the exercise, Marines and sailors practiced long-range support, such as naval gunfire and artillery; and close air support, such as AV-8B Harrier strikes and troop transportation with Ch-46E SeaKnight helicopters.

This week entails amphibious landings on the shores of Camp Pendleton that includes more than 60 Amphibious Assault Vehicles, 16 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), four Landing Craft Utility boats and a variety of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft.

“An amphibious assault is the most complex military operation,” said Col. Timothy W. Fitzgerald, operations officer, I MEF, and acting chief of staff for Dawn Blitz. “This is a good chance for us to practice what (Marines and sailors) are known for. It has been 10 years since I MEF has conducted an amphibious exercise of this magnitude.”

The maneuver was designed to cover three training objectives: planning of the operation, transporting of equipment and Marines to and from offshore ships, and preparing battle command personnel.

“Our primary focus is on our Marines currently deployed to Afghanistan,” said Fitzgerald. “Our secondary focus is preparing the rest of our Marines to deploy. That is what makes this exercise crucial; with thousands of Marines and sailors in Afghanistan, maintaining the tradition of amphibious operation is key.”

The large synchronized training effort involves naval ships, equipment and personnel from Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif. and Camp Pendleton Marines, while the shores of San Clemente Island and Camp Pendleton’s Red Beach are utilized as staging areas and simulated enemy territory.

“(The Marine Corps and the Navy) have always been the most effective team for conducting ship to shore operations,” said Fitzgerald. “We continue training, because amphibious assaults require good integration, and it is an essential capability for the maritime community.”