Saturday, February 7, 2009

Marines return to Guam to train

Photos by Lance Cpl. Jesse Leger



USS BOXER, At Sea – The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted sustainment training on the U.S. Territory of Guam in U.S. Forces Pacific Command, Jan. 31 - Feb. 5, to enhance their military skills prior to entering the Central Command area of operations as part of their scheduled six-month deployment as the nation’s force in readiness.

The 13th MEU seeked to maximize training opportunities in unfamiliar sites in Guam, which offers terrain that builds unique skill sets that enhance the MEU’s ability to work in a myriad of environments.

A few highlights from the training schedule included:

February 1: The off-loading of more than 80 vehicles, 649 tons of equipment, and 330 Marines at Reserve Craft Beach by Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles from USS Boxer (LHD-4), and an external lift of an M777 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer by a CH-53E helicopter. The 13th MEU will also conduct a simulated helicopter raid at the Naval Communication Station with Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1/1.

February 2-3: Patrolling operations, explosive ordnance disposal training and Jaws-of-Life training, similar to that of our nation’s fire and rescue personnel, by the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) team.

These events exercised the MEU’s ability to conduct anything from large-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance anywhere around the world. While transiting through the Western Pacific region, the MEU serves as the nation’s “9-1-1 force”; able to execute any mission, any time.

Following the sustainment training, Marines were given on-shore liberty to gain both a cultural and historical appreciation of the island of Guam.

1 comment:

  1. My son Andrew is on board the comstock as a marine mpand I havent heard from him, I have been searching the internet to find information, thank you for sharing this, some how it makes me feel closer, to him.

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