Marines land in Australia for sustainment training

Story Date
3/13/2006 By
Byline
Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez ,
Unit
11th MEU

Dateline

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA
Page Content

The Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (Special Operations Capable) caused a sensation with the locals here when they rode their Landing Craft Air Cushioned from the sea right into the Port of Townsville. Entire families came out to enjoy the sunny day and witness and photograph the rare sight of an LCAC maneuvering off the shore, crossing a major street and landing in a nearby field.

The Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU (SOC), Camp Pendleton, Calif., came ashore from the USS Peleliu, USS Germantown and USS Ogden to conduct scheduled sustainment training here that is necessary to maintain mission readiness and enhance war fighting skills. The three ships are part of the Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and are on a six-month deployment through the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf.

Marines and sailors also came ashore on Landing Craft Utilities. The LCAC and LCU’s not only transported landing forces but also transported various vehicles, tanks and light armored vehicles ashore.

A Landing Craft Air Cushioned kicks up some dust as it comes off the shore, crosses the street and manuevers into an open field in Townsville, Australia, March 13 during the start of sustainment training exercises in the area. The LCAC is transporting Marines from the Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (Special Operations Capable) Camp Pendleton, Calif., who are on a routine six-month deployment through the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf., Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez, 3/12/2006 4:37 PM
A Landing Craft Air Cushioned crosses the street and maneuvers from an open field and back out to sea after dropping off Marines from the Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif.,in Townsville, Australia, March 13 to conduct sustainment training exercises in the area. The 11th MEU (SOC) is on a routine six-month deployment throughout the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf., Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez, 3/12/2006 3:43 PM
Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif., debark off a Landing Craft Air Cushioned in Townsville, Australia, March 13 during sustainment training exercises in the area. The Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU are on a routine six-month deployment through the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf., Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez, 3/12/2006 3:31 PM
A Marine from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif., undergoes a detailed inspection by Australian Customs Service officials in the Port of Townsville March 13. Marines and sailors of the 11th MEU are in the area conducting valuable sustainment training to maintain mission readiness and to enhance war fighting skills. The 11th MEU is on a routine six-month deployment through the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf., Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez, 3/12/2006 1:43 PM