IMAGE: the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) / US NAVY photo The US Navy deployed a new ship pairing – a destroyer (DDG-51) and an amphibious transport dock (LPD-17),  USNI News reported on January 3 rd . The purpose is to test a new concept that could supplement amphibious squadrons and surface action groups as a formation in future operations. It is called the Littoral Combat Group 1 (LCG-1). “USS Somerset (LPD-25), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SP-MAGTF)-Peru deployed together as Littoral Combat Group 1 in November and December.” While at sea, the group conducted missions that are typical for both ships: supporting Marines and pushing them ashore, embarking a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, hosting a surgical team for humanitarian assistance work, and more. The group’s first voyage was to Valparaiso, Chile, for the Eleventh International Maritime and Naval Exhibition and

This analysis was originally released by SouthFront on December 12, 2018: Introduction The Russian Navy includes, in addition to its surface, submarine, and aviation forces, Coastal Troops which are a separate branch of service within the Navy. Their mission is providing protection for naval bases as well as forces and facilities on the coastline against enemy naval, air, and amphibious attacks. Coastal Troops, in turn, include two types of forces: coastal missile units, and naval infantry. Main organizational structures are brigades, regiments, and battalions. Coastal Missile Forces include stationary and mobile missile systems and coastal artillery units.Their task is to destroy surface ships, coastal facilities, amphibious task forces, and protecting naval bases and their land facilities, as well as ground forces operating in coastal regions. Moreover, CMF may be used to destroy enemy naval bases and ports. Drills at the Balitc Fleet’s range in Kaliningrad Region N