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CAMP LEJEUNE -- One of the largest amphibious military exercises in the past decade is taking place along the North Carolina coast. Operation Bold Alligator is training thousands of Marine and naval forces in a two-week-long war scenario that will culminate with a full scale beach assault on Onslow Beach at Camp Lejeune.

The US Navy Riverine Group 1 from Norfolk, Va. is participating in the exercise and their commander, Capt. Chris Halton, says Camp Lejeune offers more training opportunities than they normally have.

"There are live fire ranges and places we can fly our UAVs. We can put our boats in very close proximity to shore," he said. "We can land troops or riverines and put them ashore. There's just a lot of great opportunities down here."

During Operation Bold Alligator the Riverines are patrolling waters in armored boats decked out with mini-guns and machine guns. Lt. j.g. Raymond Miller, IV says the are well equipped for the task.

"Our job is to dominate the coastal waterway and river area," he said. "To make sure that no forces can use the area for their own means."

Riverines have deployed in the past to Iraq and Petty Officer Andrew McKnight says they stopped enemy forces from having an advantage on the water.

"They were using the river there as a means to move contraband, explosives, other insurgent troops," he said.

The Riverines are just a small part of the massive training exercise. There are eight countries working alongside the U.S. in Operation Bold Alligator and the exercise finishes on Feb. 12.