Photo By Sgt. Samuel A. Nasso | Two CH-46E’s with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 land on Camp Davis, Marine...... read more read more
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MARINES CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - The special-purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force supporting Operation Continuing Promise 2010 conducted a mission rehearsal exercise, June 21-23, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.
The purpose of the MRX was to integrate all elements of the special-purpose MAGTF in order to train the task force’s personnel for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations for the upcoming deployment to Latin America, said Maj. John R. Siary, the task force’s executive officer.
Marines and Sailors from Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion; Combat Logistics Regiment 25; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774 and Marine Air Control Squadron 2 made up each element of the special-purpose MAGTF for the exercise.
The MRX gave the MAGTF leaders the opportunity to employ and assess each combat element’s unique capabilities prior to deployment. The MRX also afforded the chance for each element to execute what they are specifically designated to do. For example, the air combat elements inserted the ground combat element Marines via helicopter into a landing zone to assault and capture an objective on day two of the MRX.
The air combat, ground combat and logistics combat elements trained on Camp Lejeune while the command element established a satellite base aboard MCAS Cherry Point.
“It’s important for all of the Marines, ground, air, logistics and command to be on the same page, for they have different responsibilities and need to work together to accomplish the mission,” said 2nd Lt. Patrick Kevin Cahill, 2nd Platoon commander, Company A, 2nd AA Bn.
The objectives of the MRX were to: familiarize the Marines and Sailors with CH-46E helicopters and Amphibious Assault Vehicles, execute ship to shore movements and convoy operations, establish water/power production, site security and crowd control, and execute quick reaction force exercises.
The different objectives gave the special-purpose MAGTF Marines and Sailors the chance to work together in potentially real scenarios they could encounter in South and Central American countries during the 4-month deployment.
While the focus of the MRX was to complete the objectives and examine the readiness of the unit as a whole, several obstacles put the individual Marines to the test.
“Working on a compressed timeline to bring all of the elements together to function as a single cohesive team was an obstacle we overcame,” said Siary.
Temperatures higher than 90 degrees were a daily obstacle during the MRX. These conditions created a realistic experience of the heat they may encounter in the upcoming deployment.
“Operating in black flag conditions from about 9 a.m. until almost 9 p.m. everyday was the most difficult obstacle to overcome during the MRX,” said Capt. Lynn W. Berendsen, the Company A, 2nd AA Bn. commander. “Balancing pushing the Marines and their training without hurting anyone was difficult. The Marines and Sailors overcame this with outstanding noncommissioned officer leadership.”
Approximately 500 Marines, from the previously listed units will embark on the USS Iwo Jima to assist the ship’s crew while overseas.
“Special-purpose MGTF-Continuing Promise 2010 sends a strong message of U.S. commitment and partnership with the people of the Caribbean and Latin America through humanitarian civic assistance and disaster relief response,” said Siary.
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.15.2010 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 52866 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 94 |
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