'Our history is tied to the Navy, that’s where we belong:' ExLog Wargames brings Marines back to roots

Photo By Cpl. Katherine Solano | A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle belonging to Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Logistics Group is driven off a Landing Craft Unit of the Navy’s Assault Craft Unit Two during a training operation in Norfolk, Va., June 15, 2012. The day began with onload and offload of cargo from Marine vehicles onto Navy vessels, followed by driver training into shallow waters.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

06.18.2012

Story by Cpl. Katherine Solano 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The operators, mechanics, and communication Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Logistics Group played a crucial role in the Expeditionary Logistics Wargame, alongside their Navy counterparts and other Marines within their unit.

The exercise took place June 11-16 and spanned the distance from Camp Lejeune to Norfolk, Va. It encompassed multiple assets from the MLG, but without the efforts of CLB-8, the wargame would not have taken place.

The safe arrival of the supplies and personnel was due in large part to the long-range convoy operations conducted by CLB-8 to the final objective: a humanitarian site in Virginia, known in the ExLog as “New Brittanie.”

“[CLB-8 is] part of a much larger exercise, the wargames, testing command and control systems, as well as Navy and Marine Corps interoperability in amphibious operations,” said Lt. Col. Chris Hrudka, the commanding officer of CLB-8. “On a smaller scale, CLB-8 is here doing multiple missions: driver training, amphibious operations and long range convoy operations, as well as our own command and control plans.”

An assistant convoy commander for multiple events spoke about his firsthand role and objectives during the week.

“The purpose of the week’s training events was to familiarize ourselves with loading containers and convoy operations in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Perez, a motor transport operator with Transportation Support Company, CLB-8.

There were a number of benefits in the wargames. The vehicle operators were able to practice day-to-day duties and prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in 2013.

A large number of the CLB-8 Marines participating in the exercise had not yet deployed, so they took the opportunity to learn from their noncommissioned officers and leaders who had. The week was spent not only learning about naval assets and capabilities, but what a deployment would be like for a logistics Marine.

“I got closer to a lot of the Marines,” said Lance Cpl. Mike C. Scuderi, a motor transport operator with TS Co., CLB-8. “They taught me a lot about vehicles that I didn’t know at all before. Seeing what the vehicles are capable of is impressive.”

Scuderi also pointed out how the week-long operation gave the more experienced Marines the chance to promote discipline and knowledge within the ranks. The NCOs used down-time to give impromptu vehicle classes and convoy preparation pointers. The junior Marines helped each other prepare gear and taught each other what they had learned from their respective training leaders throughout the operation.

According to Scuderi, the Marines as a whole seemed to learn a lot from each other and their Navy counterparts.

“It’s important to train with the Navy because they are our sister branch of service and we have to learn how to coordinate with them and they have to learn how to coordinate with us,” Scuderi said. “It was beneficial to both of us. We learned different ground-guiding techniques, how to get our vehicles into small spaces, and how to load and unload a vehicle on a boat and get things on and off shore. They got to see firsthand what we are capable of and we got to see what they could do.

“Together we accomplished the mission very well,” Scuderi concluded.

• Date Taken: 06.18.2012
• Date Posted: 06.18.2012 17:17
• Story ID: 90209
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US