Unit's light-armored recon maintains readiness

News: Unit's light-armored recon maintains readiness

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

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Story by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada Follow This Journalist

Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a motorized training patrol here Jan. 27. The team serves as the ground combat element for the unit, which is currently providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

DJIBOUTI - Marines participated in a motorized training patrol here Jan. 27, operating light-armored vehicles on the ground for the first time since deploying with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Navy ships in November 2011, according to platoon sergeant Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Rea.

Twenty-eight Marines and one corpsman, members of the unit's ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, mounted vehicles and moved across rugged terrain.

"It was good get on the road again," said Lance Cpl. Devin Foret, a driver with the platoon, which is a detachment from 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Drivers moved along using periscopes to navigate.

"I received hands-on training," said the 22-year-old Cairo, Ga., native. "Being closed in with limited line of sight helped me improve my driving skills and communication with the crew."

Elements of the unit are currently deployed aboard USS Makin Island as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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