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FORT MCCRADY, S.C. — Service members and staff with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command conducted back-to-back realistic military training exercises Oct. 20-Nov. 7 during Unit Readiness Exercises RAVEN 15-01 and 15-02 to enhance readiness for worldwide deployments in support of the Global War on Terror.
The two 10-day exercises were a collaborative effort between MARSOC, governmental agencies and other stakeholders to evaluate Marine Special Operations units deploying in support of a Theater Special Operations Command, said the MARSOC Exercise Officer.
He said it also gives MARSOC Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph Osterman an assessment of how well his forces are doing and identifies their strengths and weaknesses during various training scenarios.
“RAVEN is the culminating exercise (prior to deployment) that focuses on integration, bringing together capabilities such as intelligence, explosive ordnance disposal, Multi-Purpose Canines and joint tactical air control,” he said. “It provides the opportunity to be able to train to all those skillsets at one time.”
Marine Special Operations Companies (MSOC) A and I were assessed during RAVEN 15-01 and 15-02, respectively, and conducted a range of scenario-based training events which culminated with air, ground or amphibious assaults on notional targets at factories, warehouses, and aboard vessels.
The exercises tested the companies’ abilities to plan and execute activities in a hostile urban environment. Activities included Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance, Security Forces Assistance, Counterterrorism, Counterinsurgency and Foreign Internal Defense (FID).
The exercises included inter-service units with
Soldiers with the Army’s 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Air Regiment from Fort Stewart, Ga., and soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard also participated in the exercises.
“RAVEN is all about capabilities integration and interoperability,” said the MARSOC G-7 Director. “We have a lot of organizations participating in the exercise so it is really a combined exercise of all the capabilities coming together to fuse information and carry out plans.”
Marines with 1st Marine Combat Group, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, participated as the foreign military allowing the companies to exercise their FID capabilities. The exchange is a win-win scenario for the companies and the foreign force, said the Exercise Officer.
“The MSOCs get to train a foreign force and the Dutch get to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation for both units.”
The Marines and Dutch trained together in Counter-IED, vehicle and helicopter operations, patrolling and fast roping.
“As a special operations force, FID is our bread and butter,” said the Exercise Officer.
MARSOC Marines serving as site controllers, mentors or combat trainers evaluated each company’s performance and offered feedback after each mission. Both MSOC A and I performed well throughout the exercises and are ready for upcoming deployments.
“Each MSOC displayed marked growth during the exercise and is ready to conduct the nation's work as part of the global SOF network,” said the Exercise Officer.
Earlier this year, MARSOC ended unit deployments to Afghanistan and began to transition into new Areas of Operation. Each Marine Special Operations Battalion under MARSOC is now regionally aligned with a designated Theater Special Operations Command.
“As MARSOC recently regionalized the command, these first few MSOCs under this model will pave the way for future MSOC deployments,” said the Exercise Officer. “With this new deployment concept comes change and learning a new area of operations which will challenge each unit. Both MSOCs are ready to deploy in support of the tasks of the respective Theater Special Operations Command.”
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2014 16:29 |
| Story ID: | 149701 |
| Location: | FORT MCCRADY, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 397 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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