Bold Alligator 2012 facts:

What is Bold Alligator 2012?
Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. Bold Alligator allows our institutions to learn about amphibious capabilities, so that the broader force can make the most of this unique naval capability. This exercise will take place 30 Jan - 12 Feb, 2012, afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina.

What kind of operations will be conducted?
The primary thrust of BA12 will be an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Marine and Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)-sized amphibious assault from a seabase in a hostile environment. The assault will have Sailors and Marines land en masse with Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs), Landing Crafts, Air Cushion (LCACs), Landing Crafts, Utility (LCUs) and Landing Crafts, Mechanized (LCMs) to capture and control a beach. Other operations include long-range insertions, non-combatant emergency evacuations, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP), visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), and amphibious raids.

How are amphibious operations important to US military capability?
Events occur daily around the globe where protection of United States citizens and vital U.S. interests require amphibious capabilities. These commonly include humanitarian assistance, noncombatant emergency evacuation, flood and earthquake response, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, counter-piracy, strike operations, and support to partner nations. After more than 10 years of fighting in land-based warfare throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, the Navy and Marine Corps team is working hard to revitalize, refine, and strengthen fundamental amphibious capabilities and reinforce the Navy and Marine Corps role as "fighters from the sea."

What are some examples of recent events that required amphibious operations?
Amphibious forces provide the flexible forward presence that will continue to be needed in the complex world environment where 70 percent of the world's population lives in the littoral regions. U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) provided critical support during Operation Odyssey Dawn March 20, 2011, conducting strikes against Qadhafi's ground forces and air defenses in Libya. The Essex Amphibious Ready Group launched 218 aircraft and landing craft in support of reconnaissance and relief distribution missions following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck northeastern Japan March 11, 2011, delivering more than 166,000 pounds of supplies ashore. Following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 5,000 Marines and 3,000 Sailors boarded seven amphibious ships and sailed to the aid of our neighbor to provide badly needed relief. The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) evacuated over 15,000 American citizens between July 15 and August 20, 2006, following Israel's assault on southern Lebanon. By air and sea, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit delivered more than 50 tons of humanitarian assistance Jan. 12, 2005, to tsunami victims on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Events such as these highlight the continuing need for the full range of amphibious operations provided by the Navy and Marine Corps team.

Who is participating in BA12?
The two primary participants for this exercise are Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG 2) and 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2d MEB). In addition, the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) as well as various other ships and units will have significant roles in BA12. Allied nations participating include Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Bold Alligator represents training that fully realizes the flexibility of mobile seabasing, providing the force greater agility to shift the focus of effort or respond to crises.

BA 12 Mission: Plan & execute a MEB-sized amphibious assault from a seabase in a medium threat environment.
BA 12 Intent: Execute a multi-national, joint, live & synthetic scenario-driven exercise using East Coast operating areas to showcase USN/USMC amphibious operations as the nation's most viable offshore option.
Key BA 12 Training Objectives:
- Enhance the relationships/partnerships between the Atlantic Fleet & II MEF.
- Execute Command & Control (C2) of all forces ISO amphibious operations from the sea base & phase aspects of C2 ashore.
- Refine the supported/supporting relationships & doctrine for ESG-MEB operations.
- Operate in an environment & define Commander Landing Force (CLF) role in countering threat.
- Integrate a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in support of ESG-MEB amphibious operations.
- Integrate technological, platform & unit experimentation to enhance future capability.
- Engage organizations across the Navy & Marine Corps to develop enterprise solutions facing large-scale amphibious operations.
Key BA 12 LIVEX Dates:
30 Jan-13 Feb 2012.
Total Live Forces Scheduled to Participate ISO BA 12:
Approx 20,000 US/Coalition personnel & more than 25 US/Coalition ships.
Coalition Countries Participating:
Canada / United Kingdom / France / Netherlands / Spain / Italy / New Zealand / Australia