US Marines and sailors conduct high-intensity exercise in Atlantic to boost combat readiness

News, US July 29, 2025 , by IRIA Comments Off

6 minute read

U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) successfully completed the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in the Atlantic Ocean from June 21 to July 14, 2025.

The high-intensity, multi-domain exercise validated the ability of the Navy-Marine Corps team to respond to complex global crises through amphibious operations, maritime security, and integrated sea-to-shore maneuver in contested environments. It was a key pre-deployment certification aimed at enhancing the unit’s combat readiness and operational integration.

Commodore of Amphibious Squadron 8, Navy Capt. Chris Farricker said “COMPTUEX is the culmination of months of intense training and this ARG-MEU team forged a cohesive and lethal warfighting force capable of delivering decisive combat power in any environment at any time,” adding that their “success shows that we are America’s expeditionary quick-reaction force.“

“This exercise wasn’t just about individual readiness — it was about building unbreakable bonds and a shared commitment to mission success. We stand ready to answer the nation’s call, unified in purpose and unmatched in our combined might,“ Farricker added.

The training team conducted a wide range of complex missions, including maritime interdiction, visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations, amphibious assaults, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, as well as live-fire drills, reconnaissance, surveillance, and non-combatant evacuation operations.

CH-53 Super Stallion from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 landing aboard USS Iwo Jima — ^{ABH2 Tyler Maini signals a CH-53 Super Stallion from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 for landing aboard USS Iwo Jima during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean, on April 14, 2025. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/MC2 Joseph T. Miller)}

Additionally, Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley participated in the exercise, testing and validating their warfighting capabilities in maritime security, air defense, and surface warfare, while validating the overall combat readiness.

Throughout the exercise, the Navy-Marine Corps team executed a variety of core and specialized tasks:

Amphibious assaults and landing operations
Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP)
Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations
Air-ground integration using MV-22 Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers
Maritime interdiction and non-combatant evacuation scenarios

Training was conducted aboard and launched from all three ARG ships, with coordination between ship-based command centers and deployed Marine forces ashore.

Forging a Combat-Credible Force

COMPTUEX, led by Commander, Carrier Strike Group Four (CSG-4), is the culminating training event that certifies an Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit for global deployment. Over a three-week period, the 22nd MEU and IWO ARG were challenged through dynamic scenarios involving combat simulations, humanitarian assistance missions, and joint-force coordination.

Guided by operational requirements and assessments from U.S. Navy Fleet Commanders, Carrier Strike Group Four (CSG-4), in coordination with II Marine Expeditionary Force’s Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG), rigorously evaluated the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

US Navy Ships during the Composite Training Unit Exercise in the Atlantic Ocean — ^{The USNS Joshua Humphreys, right, provides fuel and supplies to the USS Iwo Jima during a replenishment during the Composite Training Unit Exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, on July 1, 2025. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Regina Gulli)}

The exercise tested the ARG’s lethality, interoperability, and its ability to deliver flexible, integrated naval power capable of promoting regional security, deterring adversaries, and providing tailored response options to national leadership.

Commander of the Carrier Strike Group Four, Rear Adm. Max McCoy said, “The Sailors and Marines assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group raised the bar in operational excellence and warfighting integration.”

McCoy further highlighted, “Their professionalism under pressure and seamless teamwork across sea, air, and command domains solidified them as a fully integrated, combat-ready force. I’m incredibly proud of their performance and know they are ready for any mission that lies ahead.”

Commander of the Task Force 80, Vice Adm. John Gumbleton also visited the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale to observe the ARG-MEU team’s integration and operational readiness.

Vice Adm. John Gumbleton praised the team’s performance during COMPTUEX and said, “The Iwo Jima ARG and 22nd MEU(SOC) demonstrated the operational excellence and integrated lethality our Navy and Marine Corps team must deliver in today’s dynamic threat environment,” adding that the team reflected not only tactical proficiency, but a shared strategic understanding of our role in global maritime security.

US Marines training during the Composite Training Unit Exercise in the Atlantic Ocean — ^{Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit board the USNS Vindicator from a rigid hull inflatable boat during simulated maritime interdiction operations in the Atlantic Ocean, on June 26, 2025. (Image Credit: U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tanner Bernat)}

Integration of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer

Joining the force for COMPTUEX was the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84). Its integration into the exercise provided a comprehensive evaluation of the ship’s multi-domain warfighting capabilities, including Maritime Security Operations, Air Defense, and Surface Warfare.

Equipped with the Aegis Combat System and a standardized communications architecture, Bulkeley significantly enhanced the ARG’s overall operational reach. It enabled real-time data sharing, improved tactical coordination, and expanded battlespace awareness across the force.

The destroyer’s advanced sensors and missile defense systems extended a protective shield over the Amphibious Ready Group, allowing for early detection and long-range tracking of potential threats.

This level of interoperability fosters a more cohesive and agile naval force, empowering commanders with improved situational awareness and the ability to respond swiftly and decisively in an increasingly complex maritime battlespace.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley during the Composite Training Unit Exercise — ^{Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Don Dume, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), fires the .50cal light machine-gun at an unmanned surface vessel during a live-fire exercise. USS Bulkeley is underway in the Atlantic Ocean with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Nye)}

Bulkeley’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Arturo Trejo said, “Our ability to work alongside with the Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Sailors of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group is a symbol to our Nation and our allies and partners that our Navy’s warfighters form a formidable, flexible, and powerful naval force ready to answer the call any time—24 hours a day, seven days a week—around the globe,”

COMPTUEX reflects the Department of the Navy’s commitment to deploying highly capable, integrated naval forces that advance national security, deter aggression, and provide flexible, mission-ready options to U.S. decision-makers.

Beyond validating combat effectiveness, the exercise also serves as a critical tool for evaluating prior readiness efforts, offering senior leaders valuable insights that inform future resource allocation, process improvements, and the continued development of warfighting capabilities.