SIERRA DEL RETIN, Spain (June 23, 2011) - Spanish marines along with Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) prepare to load into an MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced) to conduct parachute operations into a Spanish military training area northwest of Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 23, as part of the bilateral Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2011. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) are also participating in the exercise.
SIERRA DEL RETIN, Spain (June 23, 2011) - Spanish marines parachute from an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), into a Spanish military training area northwest of Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 23, as part of the bilateral Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2011. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) are also participating in the exercise.
USS BATAAN, Atlantic Ocean (June 23, 2011) - An amphibious assault vehicle from Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), exits the well deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), June 23. Bataan is the command ship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, participating in the bilateral Spanish Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2011 off the coast of Spain.