USS Kearsarge/26th MEU to Enhance Warfare Skills with Turkey for Egemen 2015
BY
DANIELSCHUMACHER
– OCTOBER 25, 2015
POSTED IN: EUROPE,
NEWS - EUROPE
AEGEAN SEA – U.S. amphibious forces arrived in Turkish waters to participate in the Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise Egemen 2015, Oct. 24.
The exercise is designed to enhance operational and tactical-level expeditionary warfare skills while increasing interoperability and strengthening partnerships between United States and Turkish forces.
151024-N-YL073-144 FOCA, Turkey (Oct. 24, 2015) Capt. David L. Bossert, commanding officer, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, board the Turkish frigate TCG Kemalreis (F 247) at Foca Naval base during Egemen 2015, Oct. 24. Egemen is a Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise designed to increase tactical proficiencies and interoperability among participants. Kearsarge, deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shamira Purifoy/Released)
“We are excited to commence Exercise Egemen 2015 here in Turkey. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, have looked forward to this Turkish led exercise which will allow the U.S. and Turkey both to build joint expeditionary capability and be ready to respond to meet security challenges.”
- Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, Commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4
“Turkey is an important ally of the United States. Partners in the NATO alliance for over 60 years, Egemen is a bi-lateral exercise that improves the alliance at the tactical level. The Sailors and Marines of the Turkish and U.S. expeditionary naval task forces will conduct maneuvers at sea en route to an objective area, culminating a combined forces assault to secure landing force objectives ashore. High-end tactical level training of this type reassures forces of both nations that when called upon, NATO can respond.. We are excited to participate in Egemen, and look forward to the personal relationships we develop that will last for years to come.”
- Capt. David Bossert, commanding officer, USS Kearsarge LHD 3
............
Commanding Officer, 26MEU Day One Blog: Egemen 2015
BY
COREYHENSLEY
– OCTOBER 25, 2015
POSTED IN: BLOGS - EUROPE,
EUROPE
The following blog is from Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaking on his experience during first day of the Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise Egemen 2015, Oct. 24.
151024-N-YL073-275 FOCA, Turkey (Oct. 24, 2015) From left to right, British Royal Marine Maj. Rob Garside, Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Rear Adm. Aydin Sirin, Turkish amphibious task group commander, share a laugh during a press conference aboard the Turkish frigate TCG Kemalreis (F 247) at Foca Naval base during Egemen 2015, Oct. 24. Egemen is a Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise designed to increase tactical proficiencies and interoperability among participants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shamira Purifoy/Released)
As the Marine Corps saying goes, “a perfect plan never survives first contact.” And Mother Nature ensured that the kick off of Exercise EGEMEN 2015 was no exception. Today, we experienced very challenging weather conditions as a storm front settled off shore of the training area. This made movement of aircraft and surface landing craft very difficult. We were fortunate to get the commanders and a few members of the Navy and Marine Corps’ staffs ashore to conduct the pre-sail conference with our hosts.
Capt. Augustus Bennett, commander of Amphibious Squadron 4, Capt. David Bossert, commanding officer of the USS Kearsarge, and I, along with a delegation of Marines and sailors, had the opportunity to break bread with our Turkish counterparts and synch the planning efforts that have been ongoing since the exercise was announced two years ago. The purpose of Exercise EGEMEN is to enhance staff and tactical-level expeditionary skill sets and increase interoperability between the U.S. and Turkish amphibious forces. Our Turkish hosts have been truly gracious and welcoming. Despite the weather, we couldn’t have asked for a better first day.
The presence of the Navy and Marine Corps team operating from the sea is the ultimate example of U.S. commitment. We represent our Nation’s premier crisis response capabilities and our presence and participation in EGEMEN represents our steadfast commitment as NATO allies to the peace and stability of the region.
An amphibious landing is one of the most difficult military operations to undertake. Its chorography requires extensive coordination and communication between leaders, aircraft, and vehicles.
Over the next few days, the U.S. and Turkish Marines will be planning, training hard, enduring tough weather conditions, and working together to build a first-class team. As we close this evening, we have Turkish Navy and Marine forces embarked with us. We look forward to the challenge and are excited to be here and for the opportunity to train with our Turkish partners.
USN Released
151024-N-YL073-310 FOCA, Turkey (Oct. 24, 2015) Various military participants discuss operations at a pre-sail conference at Foca Naval base during Egemen 2015, Oct. 24. Egemen is a Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise designed to increase tactical proficiencies and interoperability among participants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shamira Purifoy/Released)
151024-N-YL073-292 FOCA, Turkey (Oct. 24, 2015) A member of the Turkish navy gives a brief at a pre-sail conference at Foca Naval base during Egemen 2015, Oct. 24.
151024-N-YL073-338 FOCA, Turkey (Oct. 24, 2015) Lt. Cmdr. Dean Gayle, center, from West Palm Beach, Florida, speaks with Turkish naval officers at a pre-sail conference at Foca Naval base during Egemen 2015, Oct. 24.
151024-N-YL073-293 FOCA, Turkey (Oct. 24, 2015) Col. Robert Fulford, commanding officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks with a Turkish naval officer at a pre-sail conference at Foca Naval base during Egemen 2015, Oct. 24. Egemen is a Turkish-led and hosted amphibious exercise designed to increase tactical proficiencies and interoperability among participants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shamira Purifoy/Released)
BAHAHAHAH
Oh I'm not putting dirt on F35 at all.. I think it's by far the best option for Turkey.
My concerns are about the fuel consumption of continuous STOVL operation and incerased maintenance costs.
And I think we can all agree that F35C is really the best version.
I don't know about cuba but incerased presence in Indian ocean and Persian gulf could be nice
dunno... I was always in love with wasp class it's just great
I'm just looking for excuses to procure one
and It shouldn't cost Turkey anything.. They are going to scrap these anyway
nasıl kıyıcaklar sana
Meeh.. I am pretty sure they're gonna fix them all. It's Lockheed Martin and DARPA we're talking about after all
. We will maintain such presence. But as I said, US will use Wasp-class until they decide it will become a complete crap, like 20 years later maybe. In fact, due to this changing shift from CVNs to LHAs, many pro-military US media have reported that American shipbuilders should focus on exportable LHD variants that they think will definitely boost up US foreign military sales..which is completely true. Imagine we had an American contender at TCG Levent tender with a descent ToT offer.
@cabatli_53 mate pls can you edit the title, it is now 4 exercises planned that are linked to Trident Juncture 2015.