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U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Company, Royal Marines
with British Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron, and Mexican
Marines participated in a helocast exercise during Bold Alligator 17
at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on October 19,
2017.
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October 19, 2017 - U.S. Marines jump from a CH-53 Super Stallion
during a helocast exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC.
Bold Alligator 17 is a large-scale, multinational amphibious
exercise designed to execute complex shaping operations, amphibious
landing and attack, and sea basing operations to improve U.S. and
coalition ship-to-shore capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by
Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin)
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Helocasting is an operation where a unit inserts into water from
a helicopter then boards a combat rubber raiding craft, continuing
by boat to the on-shore objective.
As part of BA17, a
multinational amphibious exercise, the training simulated a unit
inserting into a contested environment to execute complex shaping
operations necessary to carry out an amphibious landing and attack
to enhance the force’s expeditionary capabilities.
“To do this kind of insert, there’s a progression of training you
have to complete,” said Capt. Joseph Accountius, a platoon commander
with Force Reconnaissance Company. “It begins in the pool; everyone
has to be qualified for intermediate water survival at a minimum,
for reconnaissance Marines, they have to complete advanced water
survival. From there we move to tower entries, then we have to
practice our small boat handling skills, that includes surf
passages, operating an out-board motor and then maneuvering. From
there we can put it all together and do it on a helicopter.”
There are potential concerns when working with multiple nations
during an exercise, from procedural differences to linguistic
concerns. Through training and cooperation, the unit was able to
work through it all to accomplish their mission.
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October 19, 2017 - U.S., Royal, and Mexican Marines bring a Zodiac
combat rubber raiding craft to shore during a helocast
exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC. Bold Alligator 17 is
a large-scale, multinational amphibious exercise designed to execute
complex shaping operations, amphibious landing and attack, and sea
basing operations to improve U.S. and coalition ship-to-shore
capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley
McLaughlin)
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“Helocasting is something we do on a regular basis, but to do it
with two other nations is quite an experience and we got a lot of
good training out of it,” said Sgt. Eric Walraven, a radio team
operator with Force Reconnaissance.
Each team was able to share specific tactics involved in
the insert itself and the reconnaissance that gets them past
the beach and to the next objective. The experience built
their knowledge because they had to learn how to adapt to
each other as the exercise was happening.
“In the
event we work with allied nations again, this has definitely
been a stepping stone into bigger operations,” said
Walraven. “Our three nations coming together has made us
improve and work effectively together.”
U.S. Marine Corps Courtesy Story
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
The U.S. Marines
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