Photo By Cpl. Vanessa American Horse | An early morning view shows the progress of Camp Palacio, April 9. Marines and sailors...... read more read more
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CROW VALLEY, Philippines — Continuing a long-standing partnership, the Marine Corps will once again participate in Exercise Balikatan 2012. The exercise, formally starting April 16, is an annual event where the Armed Forces of the Philippines collaborate with U.S. military forces to enhance interoperability in sea, air and ground operations. Balikatan translates to “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, a language of the Philippines.
Stepping up to the plate this year from Marine Corps Base Hawaii are more than 60 Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 3. The advanced party arrived at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, March 31, followed by the main body April 7. Their efforts are focused on providing logistical support for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.
“We have a two-part goal,” said Lt. Col. Henry W. Lutz III, commanding officer, CLB-3. “We’re going to provide tactical logistical support including transportation, water, and power to 3d Marine Division units and train CLB-3 Marines and sailors to operate in an austere environment.”
Due to the combined efforts and hard work from Marines of CLB-3 and 3rd Marine Division, completion of billeting, showers, an air-conditioned chow hall and wireless internet service are some of the amenities available for incoming Marines.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Lance Cpl. Joe A. Garcia, an administrative clerk, CLB-3. “This is my first time being in the field since boot camp or (Marine Combat Training). I like that we don’t have to eat (Meals Ready to Eat) all the time, and we have big tents to live in.”
Upon the opening ceremony, approximately 500 Marines and sailors at Crow Valley will begin their field training exercise. The training will include live-fire ranges and small-unit tactical exercises with AFP.
“My expectations are to further refine our logistics support capabilities,” Lutz said. “Unlike in Afghanistan, we started with no infrastructure here, and our ability to quickly establish an expeditionary camp will enhance our capability to conduct operations anywhere in the Pacific.”
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2012 14:51 |
| Story ID: | 86576 |
| Location: | CROW VALLEY, PH |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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