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Federated States of Micronesia and U.S. Department of Defense leaders assemble for a Joint Committee Meeting at Joint Region Marianas headquarters, June 4. 250604-N-ML137-1035
Federated States of Micronesia and U.S. Department of Defense leaders assemble for a Joint Committee Meeting at Joint Region Marianas headquarters, June 4. 250604-N-ML137-1057
Four aircraft fly through a blue sky near clouds over an island as seen through the open exit of an aircraft. 506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
Acting Guam Gov. Josh Tenorio speaks during Joint Region Marianas’ change of command ceremony at Guam High School, May 29. 250529-N-JC256-1049
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, outgoing commander, Joint Region Marianas, congratulates Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, incoming JRM commander, during a change of command ceremony at Guam High School, May 29. 250529-N-JC256-1070
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Installations Command, center, officiates the turnover between Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, outgoing commander, Joint Region Marianas, right, and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, incoming JRM commander, during a change of command ceremony at Guam High School, May 29. 250529-N-ML137-2085
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) arrive on scene with the 47-foot motor vessel Lucky Harvest adrift around 125 nautical miles west of Guam on May 16, 2025, and begin setting up the tow. 250516-G-QB242-4387
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) arrive on scene with the 47-foot motor vessel Lucky Harvest adrift around 125 nautical miles west of Guam on May 16, 2025. 250516-G-QB242-6490
U.S. Coast Guard transfers tow of missing vessel Lucky Harvest. 250517-G-QB242-8541
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) arrive on scene with the 47-foot motor vessel Lucky Harvest adrift around 125 nautical miles west of Guam on May 16, 2025, and set up the tow. 250516-G-G0020-3757
U.S. Army Privates First Class Jay Rideb, left, and Willie Aguilar, assigned to the 1224th Engineer Support Company, Guam National Guard, renovate a prenatal and neonatal resource center during Annual Training, Guam, May 9, 2025. 250509-Z-RJ317-1052
Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero presents the Maga'haga award to U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, outgoing commander, Joint Task Force - Micronesia, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Fitness Center, May 15. 250515-N-ML137-1107
Senior leadership salutes the colors as the national anthem plays during Joint Task Force - Micronesia’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Fitness Center, May 15. 250515-N-ML137-1022
Joint sideboys render honors to U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, incoming commander, Joint Task Force - Micronesia, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Fitness Center, May 15. 250515-N-ML137-1003
Maritime law enforcement and emergency responders from the Guam Port Authority and Guam Fire Department conduct training in Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of the NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course on March 27, 2025. 250327-G-G0020-9887
Maritime law enforcement and emergency responders from the Guam Port Authority and Guam Fire Department conduct training in Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of the NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course on March 26, 2025. 250326-G-G0020-1330
Maritime law enforcement and emergency responders from the Guam Port Authority and Guam Fire Department conduct training in Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of the NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course on March 27, 2025. 250327-G-G0020-6153
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew respond to a SAR case on March 30, 2025, rescuing two distressed mariners from an 18-foot skiff adrift near Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on March 30. 250330-G-G0020-7385
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew responded to a SAR case on March 30, 2025, rescuing two distressed mariners from an 18-foot skiff adrift near Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on March 30. 250330-G-G0020-1727
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew conduct a port visit to Nauru on March 25, 2025. 250325-G-G0020-2772
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew depart Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia, on March 30, 2025, after responding to a SAR case, rescuing two distressed mariners from an 18-foot skiff adrift near Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). USCGC Oliver Henry returns to Guam after successful transit post drydock
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew host Australia’s high commissioner and the Nauru acting police commissioner along with members of the Nauru Police Force Maritime Unit on March 26, 2025, in Nauru. 250326-G-G0020-9921
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, shows Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, and his delegation the supporting component command and memorial locations throughout Oahu during a working lunch for the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250327-A-BA691-2015
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a photo with the President’s delegation during the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250327-A-BA691-2006
Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman, commander of Joint Task Force - Micronesia, joins Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a group photo during the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250328-A-BA691-2011
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a photo with the President’s delegation during the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250327-A-BA691-3004
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel, supported by Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Francisco, stand for a photo with CNMI's Department of Public Safety at Smiley Cove in Saipan, CNMI, on Dec. 3, 2024. 241203-G-G0020-8958
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel, supported by Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Francisco, conduct recreational boating safety exams with CNMI's Department of Public Safety off Saipan, CNMI, on Dec. 4, 2024. 241204-G-MD301-6553
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel, supported by Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Francisco, conduct recreational boating safety exams with CNMI's Department of Public Safety off Saipan, CNMI, on Dec. 4, 2024. 241204-G-MD301-5837
Over 2,000 Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservists, active duty leaders, and members of the Guam and Hawaii National Guard State Partnership Programs celebrated the inaugural General Assembly of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI), Manila, Dec. 3-5. 241211-Z-RJ317-1001
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. 241210-D-D0500-1004
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. 241210-D-D0500-1008
The Vertical Launching System (VLS) was used as a part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The VLS fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA to intercept a ballistic missile target. 241210-D-D0500-1006
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. 241210-D-D0500-1002
Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. Flight Experiment Mission-02 (FEM-02)

 

JTF - Micronesia News

Boxer Amphibious Ready Group Completes CERTEX

21 December 2015

From Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Eckelbecker

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PACIFIC OCEAN -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) successfully completed a two-week Certification Exercise (CERTEX), Dec. 16, off the coast of southern California. 

CERTEX is the final integrated-training event for the Boxer ARG and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). 

"The Boxer ARG/13th MEU team did a fantastic job during CERTEX," said Capt. Keith Moore, commander, Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 1. "We trained for a wide variety of scenarios that cover the full gamut of amphibious operations. I believe that the experience we gained from fighting the scenarios have made us a more capable combat force, ready for the challenges we will face in the 5th and 7th Fleets."

CERTEX is a comprehensive, complex training evolution that combines the Navy and Marine Corps maritime and ship-to-shore capabilities. 

"CERTEX was a great opportunity to learn and refine our methods during training, preparing us for potential real-world events," said Capt. Mike S. Ruth, commanding officer, USS Boxer (LHD 4). "It allowed our Navy and Marine Corps team to maintain a high state of readiness, and really shows how important each Sailor and Marine is to Boxer ARG's mission. I'm proud of the team and the training we accomplished."

With an ever-increasing focus on joint operations, the scenario allowed the different services the opportunity to train in a joint maritime operation.

"I don't really use the words 'blue/green team,'" said Marine Corps Col. Anthony M. Henderson, commanding officer, 13th MEU. "I call us a team. We're one force. I try every day not to see it as this side and that side that come together at a specific moment in time or a specific event. I see us as one force."

The ARG was evaluated on many different scenarios, testing their ability to operate in several mission-critical areas, including maritime boarding, combat flight operations, and civilian evacuation drills.

The ARG/MEU team completed the first phase known as Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON)-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) in late-September, which gave the Blue/Green team their first opportunity to train together during staff-planning exercises and an amphibious-landing exercise. The second phase - Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) - was completed in mid-October, and allowed the Navy/Marine Corps team the opportunity to more fully integrate and cohesively conduct a variety of sea-based operations.

The Boxer ARG is commanded by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1 and consists of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), and more than 2,600 Marines from the 13th MEU.

Additional Navy units assigned to and embarked aboard the Boxer ARG/MEU include Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 11, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, and Naval Beach Group (NBG) 1 comprised of Assault Craft Units (ACU) 5 and 1, and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1. The 13th MEU is comprised of Marine forces from Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 1st Marines (BLT 2/1), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 15.

For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/


 

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