USS Arlington Performs Its First NEO Drill

Newly commissioned, USS Arlington (LPD 24), conducted its first non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) drill Nov. 4, in support of multi-national, amphibious exercise Bold Alligator 2014 (BA14).

NEO is the safe evacuation of civilians and embassy officials in the event an emergency situation arises in a foreign country. Emergency situations include natural disasters, war or civil unrest.

Lt. Cmdr. Emily Bassett, USS Arlington’s executive officer, said:

Non-combatant evacuation is one of the primary exercises in crisis action response.

We have seen NEO very recently in Libya, so it is a mission that is extremely relevant in today’s world events.

In the Bold Alligator scenario, Dutch and Belgian role player evacuees were brought to HDLMS Johan De Witt (L801). In addition, Arlington Sailors simulated additional evacuees who were taken aboard and processed by ship’s company.

To conduct the drill, the passageway just on the starboard side of Arlington’s hangar bay, known as Arlington Blvd., was divided into separate stations to include in-processing, a security check point, physical exams and supply pick-up.

As the administration division created a database of all the evacuees, medical personnel provided simulated care and treatment, as required.

In addition to NEO, Bold Alligator 2014 provides a forum to improve Navy and Marine Corps amphibious core competencies across the full spectrum of military operations. The exercise is scheduled to continue until Nov. 10, afloat and ashore along the Eastern Seaboard.

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Press release, Image: US Navy