Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alicia Leaders | Sgt. Billy K. Lethcoe, a motor transport mechanic, and Lance Cpl. Jessica L. Carroll,...... read more read more
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By Lance Cpl. Alicia R. Giron
22nd Marine Expenditionary Unit
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - As the icy breeze crept through the tarp flaps on the back of the seven-ton transport trucks, the Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 22 steeled themselves for the work ahead.
Stepping off the trucks into a field turned almost-swamp from recent rains, the troops immediately set to the task of building a beacon of hope for people displaced by disasters both natural and man-made.
Marines and Sailors with CLB-22 and Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, honed their ability to work together while conducting humanitarian assistance training Nov. 19, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The Marines coordinated getting themselves and their equipment to conduct the mission ashore from two different naval vessels; the USS Ponce and the USS Bataan. The mission was part of the 22nd MEU's Expeditionary Strike Group Integration exercise.
"During a humanitarian assistance exercise, we act out different scenarios where displaced personnel need assistance," said Lance Cpl. Jessica L. Carroll, a radio operator with CLB-22, and native of Clinton, Tenn.
Standing at just over five feet tall, Carroll spent a portion of her time at the site erecting radio antennas that are nearly four-times her height.
Aside from operating radios and setting up antennas, Carroll also works at the HA site's Entry Control Point, where people seeking help are processed before coming into the camp.
At the ECP, Marines escort and search all who enter for everyone's safety. Then the troops direct the people to specific stations, like medical or food tents, based on their needs.
"We sign the people in, give them a temporary meal card, a temporary I.D. and a wrist band," said Carroll.
There is also a medical screener at the ECP, and if a person needs to seek medical attention, it's the screener's job to distinguish how serious an illness or injury.
"During this exercise, our job is to provide a medical tent and a quarantine area for people who might have a serious injury or a communicable disease," said Chief Petty Officer Julie A. Tibus, the health-service support chief with CLB-22, and native of Edgewater, N.J.
Since many of the disasters that would cause people to be displaced from their homes also have the potential to cause serious illness and injuries, CLB-22's medical team sits as a focal point for the HA mission.
"We practice humanitarian assistance exercises as if they were the real thing," said Tibus.
Tibus added that once deployed, the rigorous training will pay dividends if the unit has to execute a humanitarian relief operation in a real-world scenario.
Humanitarian assistance is one of three key non-combat missions that CLB-22 leads for the 22nd MEU. The other two missions CLB-22 must master before deployment are non-combatant evacuation operations and mass casualty aid.
"This is our time where we get together and learn to work as a team," said Tibus. "We learn the different facets of the missions and learn about the person to our right and left."
CLB-22's overall mission is to provide the 22nd MEU with mission-essential combat service support to ensure that readiness, sustainment and mission capability are achieved and maintained.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors. Commanded by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, BLT 3/2; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, CLB-22; and its Command Element.
The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training and is scheduled to deploy this spring. For more information about the 22nd MEU, visit the unit's website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2008 14:15 |
| Story ID: | 27396 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 155 |
| Downloads: | 93 |
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