Around The Island by USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

ATI AROUND THE ISLAND

westpac 16

MKI ARG, 11th MEU DEPLOY

ATI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AROUND THE ISLAND

Commanding Officer: Capt. Mark Melson Executive Officer: Cmdr. David M. Oden Command Master Chief: MCPO(SW/AW) Larry A. Lynch

2 4

Deployment 3.0

A Fond Farewell

Public Affairs Officer: Lt. David Gardner Deputy Public Affairs Officer: CPO(SW/AW) James Thierry Media Leading Petty Officer: PO1(NAO/AW) Mathew Diendorf Layout Editor: PO2(SW/AW) Dennis Grube Staff: PO1(SW/AW) Larry Carlson PO1(SW/EXW) Jason Perry PO2(SW/AW) Robin Peak PO3 Nick Cerilli PO3 Eric Zeak PO3 Devin Langer SN Clark Lane

6 8

Train Like We Fight

Enter 7th Fleet

AROUND THE ISLAND is an authorized publication for the crewmembers of USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8). Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of MAKIN ISLAND. ATI is edited, prepared and provided by the MKI media division. All news releases, photos or information for publication in AROUND THE ISLAND must be submitted to the PAO. All submissions are edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity and conformance to style. The staff reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 26, 2016) Petty Officer 2nd Class Blake Kelly, from Twin Lake, Mich., assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), is lowered from an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter as he attempts to board the vessel of a missing Chinese mariner during a search and rescue operation in the western Pacific Ocean. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is deployed with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime strategy in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Larry S. Carlson/Released)

ATI AROUND THE ISLAND

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

RAIDERS OF THE WEEK

USS Makin Island Amphib the 11th Marine Expeditio By Seaman Devin M. Langer, USS Makin Island Public Affairs

bious Ready Group and onary Unit Deploy

early 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKIARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Naval Station San Diego for a scheduled deployment, Oct. 14.

Tipton and consists of the Command Element; the Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); the Ground Combat Element, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines; and the Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

MKIARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45). During deployment they will operate with the embarked forces of the 11th MEU, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5, the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.

“Our Navy-Marine Corps team just completed a challenging and comprehensive six month pre-deployment training cycle,” said Tipton. “This team is at its highest level of readiness to swiftly and precisely accomplish whatever missions our commanders need accomplished.”

While deployed, the MKIARG/11th MEU team will serve in U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation, providing maritime security operations, crisis response capability, theater security cooperation and forward naval presence. “The ARG-MEU team has put in countless hours over many months of training together,” said Capt. Michael Crary, Commander, PHIBRON 5. “We executed the range of missions we’ll be prepared to support while in theater, and I’m extremely proud of how far this team has come and how ready they are for this.” The 11th MEU is commanded by Col. Clay

The Makin Island ARG/11th MEU provides senior U.S. military leadership and coalition partners with a flexible force which can rapidly respond to contingencies and crises within a region. With ships, aircraft, troops, and logistical equipment, the ARG/MEU is a self-contained and self-sustained task force capable of conducting everything from combat operations to providing humanitarian assistance.

Farewell to those we fight for...

AROUND THE ISLANDS

HAWAII SUSTEX ARG, 11th MEU Train Like They Fight Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Grube

he Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted amphibious sustainment training operations at various locations on Oahu and the Island of Hawaii from Oct. 1923, after departing Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 14, for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. “As we head into the Western Pacific and then to the Middle East, this training opportunity in Hawaii proved crucial to sustaining our combat readiness,” said Col. Clay C. Tipton, the commanding officer of the 11th MEU. “Whether we’re bringing food and supplies to people in need or conducting a helo-borne raid to remove a highvalue individual from the battlefield, the Makin Island ARG/11th MEU provides our nation with an on-call, forward deployed crisis response force.” The sustainment training allowed the Navy-Marine Corps team to sharpen the skills they learned during a six-month pre-deployment cycle and included planning and execution of ship-to-shore operations, a companysized helo-borne raid, combat marksmanship, fire support operations, and simulated convoy operations. “Maintaining our high levels of proficiency as we make our way into our operating areas means the ARG/MEU will be prepared to handle any mission our commanders task to us,” said Capt. Mike Crary, Commander,

Amphibious Squadron Five. “This team is the most capable amphibious force in the world, and we sustain that edge by capitalizing on every opportunity to train together.” The Makin Island ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the command ship for PHIBRON Five and the 11th MEU, as well as the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), which is embarking on its maiden deployment, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45). Embarked units, which extend the ARG’s capabilities, include the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 5, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11 and Assault Craft Unit 5. The 11th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); a combat logistics element, Combat Logistics Battalion 11; and a command element with a commanding officer who leads the entire MEU.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

SEARCH AND RESCUE:

MKI Conducts Search for Chinese Mariner Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Grube

he amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Sailors and embarked “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, and assets from the U.S. Coast Guard attempted to locate Chinese mariner Guo Chuan during a search and rescue (SAR) operation in the waters off Hawaii, Oct. 26. Although the team located Chuan’s vessel, Qingdao China, no signs of life were found aboard. “Despite the team’s best efforts all the way around, this is an unfortunate outcome,” said Navy Capt. Mark Melson, commanding officer of Makin Island, and onscene commander for the search and rescue mission. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Guo Chuan.” Chuan was attempting a new world record for a solo trans-Pacific voyage from San Francisco to Shanghai in a 97-foot super trimaran. Chuan had not reported to his ground support team in 24 hours when the U.S. Coast Guard was notified. After receiving the order to conduct the search and rescue operation from U.S. 3rd Fleet Oct. 25, Makin Island advanced at best speed to the vessel’s last known location. Melson said rendering assistance to vessels and Sailors in distress is the responsibility of all professional mariners. “Having the capability to assist with missions like this is important,” said Melson. “The open sea is unforgiving, and we all have to look out for one another in this environment.” Once within range of the vessel early Oct. 26, Makin Island launched a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter with a SAR swimmer and personnel from Fleet Surgical Team 5 aboard. The helicopter lowered the SAR swimmer, who was unable to board the vessel due to unsafe conditions created by a heavy sea state.

Makin Island advanced to within 700 yards from the vessel and launched a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), from which Sailors boarded the vessel. Chuan was not on the trimaran, life preservers were still on board, and the jib sail was dragging in the water. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for Guo Chuan late Oct. 26. “We recognize his tremendous achievements, innovative spirit, and boundless courage,” said Melson. Makin Island, the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, is on a scheduled deployment with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of security and stability in the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. The Makin Island ARG is comprised of the Makin Island, the command ship for Amphibious Squadron 5 and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25), on its maiden deployment, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45). 7

MKI CHOPPIN’ IN

Makin Island ARG, 11th MEU Enter 7th Fleet Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Grube

he Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations after concluding operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet, 29 Oct. While in 7th Fleet, the Makin Island ARG/11th MEU will participate in bilateral training exercises and conduct operations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific. The series of scheduled bilateral engagements is meant to strengthen interoperability with allies and partners in order to enhance regional security and stability. “This team has trained together for several months, exercising the spectrum of our amphibious capabilities, in preparation for our time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Capt. Mike Crary, Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Five. “We’re looking forward to the opportunities we will have to work with our partners and allies here, as well as experience some of the rich culture the region has to offer.” The ARG/MEU entered 7th Fleet days after completing training in Hawaii which allowed the Sailors and Marines to sustain skills developed during a comprehensive six-month pre-deployment training cycle, and included planning and execution of ship-to-shore operations, a company-sized helo-borne raid, simulated convoy operations, combat marksmanship and fire support operations. “The training in Hawaii gave us a great opportunity to exercise moving Marines from ship to objective, said Col. Clay C. Tipton, commanding officer, 11th MEU. “That’s the power of this Navy/Marine Corps Team; we can put Marines ashore without the use of a secured base, seaport, or airfield.” The Makin Island ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the command ship for PHIBRON Five and the 11th MEU, as well as the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD

25), which is embarking on its maiden deployment, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45). Embarked units, which extend the ARG’s capabilities, include the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 5, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11 and Assault Craft Unit 5. The 11th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); a combat logistics element, Combat Logistics Battalion 11; and a command element with a commanding officer who leads the entire MEU. The 7th Fleet area of operations includes more than 48 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean, running from the international dateline to the eastern coast of Africa, and from the Antarctic to the Kuril Islands, Northeast of Japan. While in 7th Fleet, the Makin Island ARG and 11th MEU will be assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force, headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa.