WEBVTT

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- When the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

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boarded the ships of the WASP Amphibious Ready Group

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at White Beach Naval Facility

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it marked a number of firsts.

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It was the first time the 31st MEU

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was aboard the USS WASP.

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It was the first patrol of the year

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for both groups.

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And it also marked a historic first.

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- This is the very first operational patrol

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with the F35 Bravo.

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So we're very excited to go out the first time.

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I think it has moved the ball

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a lot more down the field for our team.

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- The F35B Lighting II Joint Strike fighter

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joined the MEU and the WASP ARG

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for the spring patrol.

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Over five weeks

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the two groups conducted amphibious integration training

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and completed multiple exercises

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designed to benefit both the US military

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and the region as a whole.

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The result, confidence.

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- I know that this ARG MEU team is ready

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and capable of executing all missions assigned

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throughout the 7th Fleet AOR.

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- Though the patrol is over

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both the MEU and the WASP ARG remain ready.

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- So we continue our training

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even when we're not on the ships.

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- And focused on what comes next.

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- Working as an integrated force

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FIBRON 11 and 31st MEU have continued to build on

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a long history of solid teamwork.

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And we look forward to that in the future.

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- The spring patrol may have marked a number of firsts

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but it won't be the last time

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the 31st MEU and the WASP ARG work together.

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Reporting from Okinawa, Japan,

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I'm Air Force Staff Sergeant Tory Cusimano.