Marines in the Middle East practiced raiding Saudi Arabian islands

US Marine CorpsApr 30, 2020, 19:22 IST

A US Marine posts security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 23, 2020.US Marine Corps/Sgt. Kyle C. Talbot

Marines and sailors deployed to the Middle East did routine amphibious assault training on the Saudi islands of Karan and Kurayan in late April.
The exercises gave 800 Marines and sailors the opportunity to conduct mission-essential tasks, including amphibious raids and amphibious assaults, in a realistic environment.
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, April 23, 2020 — The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), conducted routine amphibious assault training on the islands of Karan and Kurayn, Saudi Arabia, April 20-22.

The training was preplanned and coordinated through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and provided approximately 800 Marines and sailors the opportunity to train in amphibious operations in a realistic environment.

Over the course of three days, the BATARG and 26th MEU planned and conducted a variety of the MEU's mission-essential tasks including amphibious raids and amphibious assaults. Amphibious raids involve swift incursions and withdrawals, while amphibious assaults can result in occupation of an objective and preparing for follow-on operations.

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The preplanned exercise affords the SPMAGTF-CR-CC an opportunity to sustain and improve its critical mission capabilities, as well as demonstrate its ability to rapidly respond to emergent threats and crises.

US Marines load onto an MV-22 Osprey during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 23, 2020. US Marine Corps/Sgt. Kyle C. Talbot

The preplanned exercise affords the SPMAGTF-CR-CC an opportunity to sustain and improve its critical mission capabilities, as well as demonstrate its ability to rapidly respond to emergent threats and crises.

In conjunction with the BATARG and 26th MEU, The Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force — Crisis Response — Central Command 19.2 (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) also conducted a full mission profile, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan and Kurayn Islands on April 23.

Marine Corps Sgt. Andrew Bell, left, and Lance Cpl. Travis Clark, machine gunners, establish their defensive position during platoon-level training on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020. US Marine Corps/Cpl. Tanner Seims

In conjunction with the BATARG and 26th MEU, The Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force — Crisis Response — Central Command 19.2 (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) also conducted a full mission profile, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan and Kurayn Islands on April 23.

Sourcing combat power ashore from a sea-based platform allows the ARGMEU to be flexible, expeditionary, and postured to shape actions across the full range of military operations in remote, marginally accessible, environments.

Reconnaissance Marines surface on the beach after diving near Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020 US Marine Corps/Cpl. Gary Jayne III

Sourcing combat power ashore from a sea-based platform allows the ARGMEU to be flexible, expeditionary, and postured to shape actions across the full range of military operations in remote, marginally accessible, environments.

In preparation for training on the islands, reconnaissance Marines conducted hydrographic surveys under the cover of darkness, provided amphibious reconnaissance and surveillance, and maneuvered combat rubber raiding craft throughout the littoral region.

Reconnaissance Marines operate a combat rubber raiding craft near Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020. US Marine Corps/Cpl. Gary Jayne III

In preparation for training on the islands, reconnaissance Marines conducted hydrographic surveys under the cover of darkness, provided amphibious reconnaissance and surveillance, and maneuvered combat rubber raiding craft throughout the littoral region.

The integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team was an essential element of the sustainment training on the islands. As a cohesive team, the ARGMEU transported forces and firepower to Karan Island and facilitated fire support by utilizing artillery assets.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Martti Kahra sprints to the objective during buddy rushing drills on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020. US Marine Corps/Cpl. Tanner Seims

The integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team was an essential element of the sustainment training on the islands. As a cohesive team, the ARGMEU transported forces and firepower to Karan Island and facilitated fire support by utilizing artillery assets.

The BATARG and 26th MEU team concurrently utilized air and surface assets to transport forces and equipment to the two islands.

Marines exit an MV-22B Osprey to conduct platoon-level training on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020. US Marine Corps/Cpl. Tanner Seims

The BATARG consists of the flagship amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and is supported by the guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55).

Marines unload from a landing craft, air cushion for platoon-level training on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020 US Marine Corps/Cpl. Nathan Reyes

The BATARG consists of the flagship amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and is supported by the guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55).

"Through support in planning, establishing maritime dominance, executing ship-to-shore evolutions, and preparing for a simulated shipboard weapons shoot — the BATARG was able to receive valuable training and enable the success of the 26th MEU's mission ashore," said Lt. Cmdr. Grace Reilly, BATARG assistant operations officer.

Marines unload from a landing craft, air cushion for platoon-level training on Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2020 US Marine Corps/Cpl. Nathan Reyes

"Through support in planning, establishing maritime dominance, executing ship-to-shore evolutions, and preparing for a simulated shipboard weapons shoot — the BATARG was able to receive valuable training and enable the success of the 26th MEU's mission ashore," said Lt. Cmdr. Grace Reilly, BATARG assistant operations officer.

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Marines in the Middle East practiced raiding Saudi Arabian islands

The preplanned exercise affords the SPMAGTF-CR-CC an opportunity to sustain and improve its critical mission capabilities, as well as demonstrate its ability to rapidly respond to emergent threats and crises.

In conjunction with the BATARG and 26th MEU, The Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force — Crisis Response — Central Command 19.2 (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) also conducted a full mission profile, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan and Kurayn Islands on April 23.

Sourcing combat power ashore from a sea-based platform allows the ARGMEU to be flexible, expeditionary, and postured to shape actions across the full range of military operations in remote, marginally accessible, environments.

In preparation for training on the islands, reconnaissance Marines conducted hydrographic surveys under the cover of darkness, provided amphibious reconnaissance and surveillance, and maneuvered combat rubber raiding craft throughout the littoral region.

The integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team was an essential element of the sustainment training on the islands. As a cohesive team, the ARGMEU transported forces and firepower to Karan Island and facilitated fire support by utilizing artillery assets.

The BATARG and 26th MEU team concurrently utilized air and surface assets to transport forces and equipment to the two islands.

The BATARG consists of the flagship amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and is supported by the guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55).