Globe, August 30, 2012

Page 1

WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM

VOLUME 74, EDITION 35

The

GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944

Montford Point

Trial by firefight | 5A

Burgaw Marine gets gold | 7A THURSDAY AUGUST 30, 2012

WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

II MEF participates in Exercise Atlantic Response

Photo by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

An Afghan National Army soldier listens to a radio at Forward Operating Base Zeebrugee in Kajaki District, Afghanistan recently. The Afghan National Security Forces organize their efforts in an Operational Control Center-District.

CPL. BRYAN NYGAARD

II Marine Expeditionary Force

Approximately 100 Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force participated in Exercise Atlantic Response 12 aboard Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Aug. 21 through 23. Atlantic Response is a scenariodriven, simulation-supported exercise designed to develop the command staff ’s ability to rapidly respond to today’s emerging crises using middleweight force. The exercise employed Marines and sailors from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s headquarters who set up a combat operations center, complete with a barbed-wire perimeter on the outer coat of the air field. Within the combat operations center were Marines working on laptops while projection screens and maps covered the walls. The simulation was also supported by an additional 50 personnel working in the II MEF Simulations Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “What we’re replicating are the command and control functions you would expect out of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade,” said Brig. Gen. John K. Love, the deputing commanding general of II MEF and the commanding general of 2nd MEB. “Typically, what we do is run through a series of battle drills and staff exercises that refine our processes for staff functioning. “At this level, command and control is fairly complicated. There are a lot of command and control systems, there are a lot of mechanisms and we experience fairly high turnover of personnel over the summers. What we’re doing now is sort of back-in-the-saddle training. We’re indoctrinating new staff members into the team; we’re going through our standard operating procedures to get us ready should we be required.” The simulation was like a large computer-based game simulating the movement of actual forces. The scenario involved a fictitional country with a weak government and terrorist activity. The scenario is based on the different types of crises occurring over the past several years. These crises required Marines to conduct a variety of operations including protecting national interests, delivering humanitarian assistance, supporting disaster relief and acting as a show of force. “Right now, we’re looking at the littorals of the world, which is where the maritime domain meets the land domain, and we anticipate crises are likely to occur (there),” said Love. Love remarked how it is not only important the staff develops their operating procedures, but also develops teamwork and camaraderie. “We are always refining our processes and looking for ways to become more efficient,” said Love. “This exercise runs 10 hours a day, and every day when we stop the actual simulation play, we take a little break. We huddle to go through our lessons learned and figure out where we want to modify our standard operating procedures so we can improve them.” Exercise Atlantic Response 12 also serves as preparation for Exercise Bold Alligator 13 scheduled to take place April 2013, which continues to be the largest combined joint amphibious training exercise conducted on the eastern seaboard. The intent of these exercises is to revitalize the Marine Corps’ amphibious warfare proficiency, which remains a Marine Corps priority.

KAJAKI DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

CPL. KENNETH JASIK

Regimental Combat Team 6

As Afghan National Security Forces take over for Marines operating in Helmand province, they coordinate their efforts through an Operational Control CenterDistrict. The OCCD, advised by Marines with Police Advisor Team 4, Regimental Combat Team 6, in Kajaki District, ensures all the operations of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Civil Order Police and Afghan Uniformed Police are well-coordinated. “The OCCD is like a (command op-

erations center) for the ANSF,” said Cpl. Franklyn L. Plummer, an assistant advisor with Police Advisor Team 4. “It’s a partnership between the ANA, ANCOP and AUP. It’s so they can communicate together and help each other out. “Let’s say ANCOP is in a firefight, and they are near an ANA post. The (ANCOP) would let the (ANA) know they’re in the area and taking enemy contact. The ANA nearby can move to help.” Kajaki’s OCCD is a new effort, and the advisors help the different services work together. “This concept is something that may be unfamiliar to the ANSF forces, and

with each force having distinct roles, a lot of coordination needs to take place,” said 1st Lt. Bryant Yee, officer in charge, Kajaki district Police Advisor Team. The Marines said they look forward to helping the Afghans coordinate their efforts and help them fight as one. “They work together well,” said Plummer. “There can be a little friction between each group, but they do work well together.” “The OCCD definitely made the ANSF more effective,” said Yee. “The ANA and ANCOP are ecstatic about the OCCD and believe in participating in it.”

SINGO, UGANDA

Marines, Ugandan soldiers share thoughts on unique training mission CAPT. ROBERT SHUFORD

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

A small team of Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit were sent on a unique mission in the east-central African country of Uganda. Eleven Marines traveled from the amphibious assault ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group to Uganda to link up with a team of Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force who were already there conducting a training package for soldiers of the Uganda People’s Defense Force. The Marines are helping the UPDF perfect their skills in marksmanship, small unit tactics and engineering prior to the Ugandan soldiers deploying in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia. For the Marines and their Ugandan partners this opportunity provided a variety of challenges and rewards. In their own words, here is how members from both militaries feel about their interaction: Cpl. Robert W. Winegar, a mortarman with

Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU – “My experience in Uganda is great so far. I never imagined I would be in Africa training the UPDF. I really enjoy being exposed to the new culture and experiences. I like the training and the challenge of working with the Marines from the SPMAGTF and a foreign military. So far, I have been employed as a combat instructor overseeing the basic combat skills taught to the UPDF troops. When the UPDF soldiers are split into their prospective job specialties, I will be a 60mm mortars instructor.” Cpl. Matteo Marshall, with BLT, 1st Bn., 2nd Marines, 24th MEU – “So far my experience in Uganda is extremely positive. We have a variety of things scheduled to teach and train the UPDF soldiers, but at the same time, we can also learn from them. U.S. forces are employed mostly in desert environments in recent years. Our current generation of troops lacks knowledge and training when it comes to jungle warfare. This is something we can improve on while working with the UPDF by learning from their experiences. I would have never expected to take part SEE UGANDA 7A

Courtesy photo

Soldiers with the Uganda People’s Defense Force move forward with weapons at the ready as a training team of Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit coach them in small unit tactics and marksmanship recently.

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