Albania, US hold military exercises
DURRES, Albania (NWSB) -- Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable)(SOC) and Sailors and ships of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) recently joined Albanian Armed Forces during exercise Rescue Eagle, the third and largest exercise conducted between U.S. and Albanian Forces to date.
"The purpose of this combined exercise is to cross-train our forces and conduct a humanitarian search and rescue exercise in the spirit of the partnership for peace initiative," said VADM Donald Pilling, commander, 6th Fleet.
The exercise began in the early morning darkness as Navy Seals from USS Nashville (LHD 13) made their way ashore in combat rigid raiding craft to provide initial terminal guidance for landing craft air-cushioned (LCAC) vehicles laden with Marines and equipment necessary to conduct the exercise.
As the surface landing began, helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, the aviation combat element of 24th MEU (SOC), simultaneously began an aerial offload of other Marines and equipment.
Albanian civilian interest in the exercise was immediately apparent. Large crowds gathered as Marines charged from the landing helicopters to establish perimeter security. Company I, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/8, the MEU's Heliborne Company, was the first on the deck and immediately set their defensive positions. "It was hotter than hell that first day, digging fighting holes and trenches, but that didn't matter to the Marines," said Sgt. Carl W. Melrose, platoon sergeant, second platoon.
While Marines worked with Albanian ground forces ashore, U.S. Navy personnel cross-trained Albanian naval forces aboard two of the three ARG ships. Nashville and Kearsarge also hosted Albanian navy representatives so they could see how U.S. forces operate.
Each Marine company worked with at least a platoon-sized unit from the Albanian Defense Force. The surveillance and target acquisition platoon conducted land navigation training. During the training, some of the Albanian troops took the opportunity for a hands-on study of U.S. weapons.
The BLT Boat Company trained with the Albanian "A" section in squad tactics drills.
"Taking them on a hump through the hills and town of Durres gave us the opportunity to do some training outside of the vehicles we carry the heavy guns on," said Lance Cpl. Colin H. Morris, a heavy machine gunner with 1st Platoon. "We also got to look at a little part of the country where they live."
Kearsarge and Albanian naval forces conducted a combined surface defense exercise involving a protest boat that was attempting to interfere with amphibious operations. Albanian navy vessels provided security for the American amphibious ship and prevented the mock protest ship from disrupting the flow of amphibious traffic moving between the ship and the beach.
U.S. And Albanian forces employed two scenarios during the search and rescue phase of the joint training. One was an airborne search and rescue. The other, an overland search and rescue, included a mass casualty drill to make the scenario even more challenging.
The Albanians used aircraft to locate the troops in need of evacuation -- role players who occupied the position on the previous day. Once the Albanians found them, they radioed the position to forces waiting on board Kearsarge. The Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) force was already on alert and prepared to go ashore and conduct the evacuation.
The combined U.S. and Albanian TRAP force launched from Kearsarge toward the Albanian shore to execute the mission. Once at the rescue site, the teams quickly exited the helos, set up a 360-degree perimeter defense and began their search for the evacuees. The forces located the evacuees and quickly moved them to the waiting helos. The evacuees were soon aboard the helos and safely on the ship.
Maj. Albert K. Dixon III, operations officer for the BLT, said of the exercise, "We conducted combined physical training, medical training, area security, landing zone preparation and tactics and procedures for recovery of personnel and aircraft. We have demonstrated the importance of interoperability between our forces."
After the exercise, the Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, General Kosova said, "I would like to convey my gratitude and hope for future cooperative operations."
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