Photos by MC2 Jared Walker, Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Marines with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines (1/11) from the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) inspect a gun carriage that will be used to secure their 5-ton M777 lightweight 155mm howitzer when transported by air from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 19, 2017.
The gun carriages were a joint project between the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Seabees, attached to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Detachment, and Marines with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines (1/11). The Marines were visiting the region as part of the Alligator Dagger exercise, which offered an opportunity for Navy and Marine Corps teams deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to participate in rigorous integrated combat proficiency training.
Alligator Dagger is the largest regional amphibious exercise of its kind and synchronizes TF 51/5 s warfighting capabilities and those of adjacent U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Special Operations Forces units. It offers an opportunity for Navy and Marine Corps teams deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to participate in rigorous integrated combat proficiency training. Specifically, this exercise enables the military to execute amphibious training, live-fire, Vessel Board Search and Seizure, Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel, as well as air assault evolutions.