Marines routinely storm beaches on Camp Pendleton as part of their training, but this year’s "Dawn Blitz" exercise went beyond building amphibious landing skills.
Garth Langley, a spokesman for the Marine’s First Expeditionary Force, said the U.S. Navy and Marines are learning how to work closely with military air, sea and ground forces from Japan, Canada and New Zealand.
“They were all landing together on one beach,” he said, “and from there, continuing to maneuver onto Camp Pendleton, continuing force on force training that will go on for the rest of the week.”
Langley said military officials from Japan and Canada observed the exercises when they were conducted in 2011. This year, they were active partners, and the ship-to-shore training was extended.
“It’s a graduation from previous "Dawn Blitz" exercise which, to be honest, ended at the beach.” Langely said. “One of the unique things with this year’s exercise is the training didn’t end there. We’ve actually brought in Marines reservists from throughout the state of California to participate in a second part of the exercise.”
Langley said the reservists role played a defending force on shore, to provide a combat scenario for the combined Pacific forces.
Part of the shore-based training involved medical personnel practicing their response to major casualties caused either by military action or by natural disasters.
Langley said 11 other nations observed the exercise this year, laying the groundwork for even wider joint exercises in the future.
