Photo By Sgt. Anthony Ortiz | U.S. Marines with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – For the Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group the most welcomed change this fall was returning to their families and friends in eastern North Carolina after spending all September in the desert of Twentynine Palms, Calif., for training.
The regiment had the opportunity to participate in the final Enhanced Mojave Viper exercise held aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan early next year.
For four years, EMV has served as the Corps’ all-encompassing pre-deployment training exercise, providing units with the most realistic training available, to ensure a unit was prepared and ready to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Ordinarily, EMV is the final, culminating exercise a unit will conduct before deploying; however, this was not the case for CLR-2.
Two weeks after officially standing-up as the group’s next forward element to deploy in support of OEF, CLR-2 was already setting up camp aboard MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, acclimating to the new environment and gearing up for 35 days of continuous training.
“After a few days of classes, we adjusted quickly to our new environment and new work schedule,” said Maj. Shawn Tyson, Transportation Support Company commander.
EMV was the first major exercise for the newly reorganized regiment, one in which all four companies were able to participate. Yet, the regiment did not use this as a crutch, but rather continued to perform beyond expectations.
The troops of TS Company were among the busiest in the regiment, working around the clock conducting internal training while simultaneously meeting the transportation demands of other companies.
“It has not been uncommon to see the lights of the company office and platoon workspaces burning until the early hours of the morning,” said Tyson.
TS Company focused on refining a gamut of tactics, techniques and procedures through various training lanes, live fire ranges and mounted patrols.
“The first phase of our training had our motor transport platoons refining motorized operations with an emphasis on gunnery skills for vehicle mounted weapons, command and control of fires, spotting and reacting to possible IED finds, reacting to IED strikes, and vehicle recovery,” explained Tyson.
“The next couple of events increase in complexity, to include live fire training to ambushes, air evacuation of casualties, key leader engagements with role players and even firing live rockets,” he continued.
These evolutions not only tested the capabilities of the troops, but also those of the vehicles and other pieces of heavy equipment that were utilized.
The companies were able to complete the majority of their pre-deployment training requirements while simultaneously honing the individual military occupational specialty skill sets of their troops.
“Each of the platoons and sections … are training to improve their required skill sets in preparation for deployment,” said Capt. Luke Sauber, Headquarters and Services Company commander.
Sauber continued, describing the challenging scenarios the intelligence section analyzed, the proficiency of the operations section in managing the actions of the entire regiment, the detailed network of radio and data services that Communications Platoon managed, the successful Helicopter Support Team exercises and aerial delivery drops that Landing Support Platoon conducted, and the multiple functions of the logistics sections.
“The Marines of the [logistics section] are among the busiest. They established a field armory, coordinated the daily feed plan of the regiment, managed the ammunition holding area for thousands of rounds, and coordinated dozens of movements of personnel and equipment,” explained Sauber.
The regiment was also tasked with providing logistical support to the other ground units participating in EMV. This ranged from conducting resupply convoys to providing thousands of gallons of fuel via the fuel farm in order to maintain the continuous flow of daily operations.
“Bulk Fuel Platoon continuously stayed busy supporting 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance and 2nd Tank Battalion with fuel resupply and issued over 12,000 gallons over a four and a half week period,” explained Capt. Brian Cooley, Engineer Company commander.
Overall, this month-long training exercise pulled Marines and sailors out of their comfort zones; it tested them physically, mentally and emotionally. The troops were constantly working to overcome the challenges of the desert environment, fatigue from ongoing operations and periods of sleep deprivation and missing loved ones. The consensus, however – it was worth every drop of sweat.
“We have come together into a cohesive team under the strain of harsh weather conditions, very long days, and a relentless training schedule that has tested our resiliency down to the last individual,” said Lt. Col. Chris Hrudka, CLR-2 deputy commander. “The Marines and sailors have done a tremendous job at taking care of each other and maximizing the training value.”
EMV was a very large milestone that provided ample feedback on what areas still need improvement. Subsequently, CLR-2 recognizes the need to maintain a heightened training pace to ensure it is fully prepared before deploying next year.
“The next few months will focus on remediating from lessons learned, increasing our combat mindset, and refining our technical and tactical skills. Ultimately, we will be ready and prepared for a successful deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom,” concluded Tyson.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2012 10:41 |
| Story ID: | 95760 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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