'We Learned a Lot': Marines, Sailors Reflect on Deployments Chock-Full of Equipment Challenges
Published February 06, 2025 at 12:51pm ET
The recent deployments of two joint Marine and Navy units to Europe and the Indo-Pacific highlighted ongoing ship maintenance issues that caused commanders to have to adjust or miss training programs necessary to prepare troops for global operations, among other issues and triumphs.
Leaders involved in the 2023-2024 deployments of the Wasp and Boxer Amphibious Ready Groups, or ARGs, including officers from their Marine Expeditionary Units, described the maintenance shortfalls for amphibious ships as "challenges" to reporters on Tuesday, but noted they weren't the only ones, nor were they the only takeaways from the operations.
The units deployed new Marine Corps vehicles for the first time, contended with aircraft restrictions in the wake of deadly crashes -- in addition to the maintenance issues with the Navy's amphibious fleet -- and used generative artificial intelligence. They also responded to global turmoil, such as the redirection of a MEU to the eastern Mediterranean Sea as tensions in Israel broiled, and assisted in humanitarian relief in the Pacific.
In total, both units trained with more than 40 allied countries, including the Philippines, Japan, Greece and Sweden, according to fact sheets provided to reporters by the service, which touted the ARG-MEU's ability to project power around the world and the deployments as a demonstration of commitment to those allies.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/02/06/we-learned-lot-marines-sailors-reflect-deployments-chock-full-of-equipment-challenges.html
