Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) participated in Navy-Marine Corps joint exercise Pacific Horizon from Oct. 20-28.
Pacific Horizon is a scenario driven, simulation supported crisis response exercise designed to improve 1st MEB’s and ESG-3’s interoperability and strengthen Navy-Marine Corps relations by conducting an in-stream Maritime Pre positioning Force offload of equipment by providing host country civil-military security assistance, and by conducting infrastructure restoration support.
The operation consisted of Naval and Marine Corps personnel using ship-to-shore techniques to ferry tactical vehicles and supplies from Military Sealift Command ships to the shore.
The exercise employed the latest technologies and operation techniques to accomplish goals. Included in the exercise was a new MSC ship currently undergoing testing.
The mobile landing platform USNS Montford Point (MLP-1) and the USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312) staged in several nautical miles off the shore, acted as a mobile supply and vehicle depot to ferry materials by Landing Craft, Air Cushions to the beach.
Five LCACs traveled back and forth from the ships to the beach carrying vehicles and supplies supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
On shore, Marines also established a Tactical Water Purification System to provide up to 1500 gallons of clean water every hour, which would be used in a real world emergency.
The system plays an important role in the operation, as a single person uses approximately 20 gallons of water per day for hydration, hygiene and sanitation.
Throughout the exercise, Marines also erected two multi-purpose buildings (SWA Huts) in order to shelter and support the fictional local population, whose home were destroyed when two hurricanes hit the region, as part of the exercise scenario.
Press release, Image: US Navy