'We Learned a Lot': Marines, Sailors Reflect on Deployments Chock-Full of Equipment Challenges

The recent deployments of two joint Marine and Navy units to Europe and the Indo-Pacific highlighted ongoing ship maintenance issues that caused commanders to have to adjust or miss training programs necessary to prepare troops for global operations, among other issues and triumphs.

Leaders involved in the 2023-2024 deployments of the Wasp and Boxer Amphibious Ready Groups, or ARGs, including officers from their Marine Expeditionary Units, described the maintenance shortfalls for amphibious ships as "challenges" to reporters on Tuesday, but noted they weren't the only ones, nor were they the only takeaways from the operations.