Rockland

Navy Seaman Recruit Eric A. Dipaolo took part in Bold Alligator 2012, the nation’s largest joint/multinational amphibious assault exercise in the past 10 years.
The son of Annmarie and Daniel Dipaolo of Orangeburg, he’s one of the sailors assigned to the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1).
Bold Alligator 2012 took place from Jan. 30 to Feb. 12 off of Virginia and North Carolina.
Here are some details, supplied through the Navy’s Fleet Hometown News:
In preparing for Bold Alligator, Wasp sailors conducted flight and well deck operations to allow the ship and various Marine Corps elements to become certified for amphibious operations at sea.
During the at-sea period, Wasp’s crew worked with U.S. Marines to land and launch AV-8B Harrier aircraft and amphibious hovercraft known at landing craft air cushion (LCAC).
Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 focused on the fundamental aspects and roles of amphibious operations to improve amphibious force readiness and proficiency for executing the six core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy – forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.
Exercise preparations are critical for Wasp, as it is slated to serve as the Bold Alligator flagship.
Bold Alligator participants included elements of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and the Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Bold Alligator 2012 gave U.S. service members and coalition partners real-world amphibious experience and revitalized the Navy Marine Corps’ vital core competencies.
Dipaolo is a 2009 graduate of Pearl River High School of Pearl River and joined the Navy in May 2010.
Visit www. navy.mil for more information.