USS WASP, At Sea -- Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the USS Wasp (LHD-1), and Amphibious Squadron Six (PHIBRON-6), successfully completed Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), May 22, 2016.
COMPTUEX is the culminating event of the 22nd MEU’s pre-deployment training program (PTP), a rigorous cycle of training courses and unit-level exercises designed to prepare and certify the MEU for the mission essential tasks it may be called upon to perform during its upcoming deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
Whether executing a large scale, multi-ship, targeted amphibious raid on a simulated enemy position or bringing desperately needed water and relief supplies to notionally starving masses of displaced persons, the key to successful mission accomplishment during the exercise was the tight coordination of the “Blue-Green Team” made up of the 22nd MEU and PHIBRON-6.
“This was high quality training that allowed us to rehearse for missions we may be called to execute around the world. Because of COMPTUEX our Navy-Marine Corps team is better prepared to succeed in the missions we will be assigned while deployed,” said Lt. Col. Cory Martin, 22nd MEU Executive Officer.
Now that the team has completed the last major exercise, they move into the final phase of pre-deployment where the 22nd MEU and its subordinate elements, as well as the ships of PHIBRON-6, will ensure their equipment and personnel are mechanically, personally and professionally prepared for the pending deployment.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is made up of its Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/6); its Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (Reinforced) (VMM-264); and its Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22 (CLB-22). The 22nd MEU will deploy this summer aboard the ships of Amphibious Squadron Six (PHIBRON-6); the USS Wasp (LHD-1), the USS San Antonio (LPD-17), and the USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41).