At ‘Steel Knight’ Exercise, American Forces Train to Take on a Thinking Enemy
It began as a tank battalion exercise in 1991. Today, Exercise Steel Knight is an annual training event lead by the 1st Marine Division – one that spans the western United States and California coast.
Focusing on ground fires, maneuver warfare tactics and command and control capabilities, this exercise tests Marines and sailors across a range of environments and against a thinking opposing force. It also is designed to prepare them to integrate with joint and naval forces.
In the image, above, by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa, U.S. Marines guard an embassy from role players during a military assisted departure as a part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
“The scenario for Steel Knight is constructed to give I MEF an opportunity to execute expeditionary advanced base operations as part of a maritime campaign.” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, speaking when he was commanding general of 1st MARDIV. “We create a fake map and limit ourselves in terms of geography to simulate that discrete areas of Southern California are actually islands.”
As part of the exercise last year, Air Force Pararescuemen with the 920th Rescue Wing conducted operations while working alongside Marines during their adjacent exercise, Distant Fury Stallion 23. The PJ’s jumped to retrieve simulated stranded Marine Corps pilots, who were flown to the USS Cincinatti (LCS 20) for temporary follow-on care.
The annual exercise also certifies Marines to be forward-postured in Australia as part of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies for rapid response to crises and contingencies.