Navy, Marine Corps begin Bold Alligator 2016 exercise

The Navy and Marine Corps recently kicked off an amphibious exercise that focuses on the anti-access/area-denial threat.

Bold Alligator 2016 is a synthetic, scenario-based simulation exercise designed to train the Expeditionary Strike Group 2 and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, according to a U.S. Fleet Forces Command statement. The exercise started Aug. 15 and runs through Aug. 26.

"The Bold Alligator series has been invaluable to the Navy-Marine Corps team's amphibious operations and has increased our interoperability and cooperation with our allies and partners," Vice Adm. Richard Breckenridge, deputy commander of USFF, said in the same statement. "As a synthetic exercise, Bold Alligator 2016 creates a unique opportunity to evaluate planning processes, execute command and control across the amphibious force and provide valuable experience for all participants, setting the conditions for success in Bold Alligator 2017, next year's live exercise."

The last time Bold Alligator was held, it focused on crisis-response operations with coalition partners. The capabilities that allow amphibious forces to conduct a forcible entry against an opposing military force are the same capabilities that make it the first, best choice for crisis-response, humanitarian assistance and building partnerships, according to the USFF statement.

Bold Alligator 2016 will prepare service members and coalition partners for Bold Alligator 2017, which will draw from this year's afloat and ashore planning to train amphibious forces in a real-world environment. This year's exercise has 15 countries participating or observing from different command elements, according to USFF.

"Bold Alligator 2016 capitalizes on modern simulation technology to refine joint and combined amphibious operations from planning to execution, with a focus on translating the ongoing exercise efforts to follow-on live exercises," Lt. Gen. John Wissler, the head of Marine Forces Command, said in the same statement. "The combination of realistic simulation technologies and existing communications infrastructure during this exercise provides the Navy and Marine Corps team, along with our international partners, the ability to rigorously train for amphibious combat in an ever-increasingly complex environment by leveraging the efficiencies of virtual and constructive training tools, all the while developing the most valuable warfighting commodity -- personal relationships between military professionals."