By: L.N. Reklai
January 5, 2018 (Airai, Palau) Sounds of military planes zooming over Palau International Airport yesterday got some local residents wondering what was happening.
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The excitement was due to an aviation operations exercise by the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The training exercise consisted of expeditionary refueling point operations using military aircrafts MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers.
The training is said “to exercise its ability to self-support aircraft logistical requirements using organic assets while a forward deployed environment and test the capability of the amphibious Ready Group (ARG)-MEU to conduct air delivered Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions.”
Press release issued earlier stated, “U.S. places significant importance in maintaining amphibious readiness within the ARG-MEU in the event there is a need for an immediate response. It added, “exercise demonstrates the United States commitment to Palau’s security, and the Marine Expeditionary Unit is an example of a rapid response capability that could come to Palau’s aid.”
Information also states, “the 15th MEU and America ARG are deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility to enhance regional partnerships and serve as a ready-response capability for any type of contingency.” [/restrict]