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Increased traffic is expected during Exercise Keen Sword
ASAN, Guam—As part of Exercise Keen Sword 17, motorists should expect an increase in military traffic between U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen South on Nov. 7-9.
The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based out of San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California, scheduled to participate in Exercise Keen Sword 17, will conduct maneuvers in Guam that will act as shaping operations for the Japanese/U.S. bilateral training on Tinian.
The MKI ARG/11th MEU units supporting KS17 are the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock; Combat Logistics Detachment 113, Combat Logistics Battalion 11; and Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, which includes an amphibious assault vehicle platoon and combined anti-armor team. These units will be training in Guam and off the shore of Tinian.
While the 11th MEU units are operating independently of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, they are supporting the overall Japan-U.S. military operation, and providing an opportunity for higher headquarters to track both U.S. and Japanese forces operating over a large battle space.
The MKI ARG/11th MEU provides senior U.S. military leadership and coalition partners with a flexible force that can rapidly respond to contingencies and crises within a region. With ships, aircraft, troops, and logistical equipment, the ARG/MEU is a self-contained and self-sustained task force capable of conducting everything from combat operations to providing humanitarian assistance.
KS17 is a bilateral exercise between Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces designed to increase combat readiness, communication and coordination between the two militaries to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan, or to a crisis or contingency situation in the region. (PR)
