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    USNS Bobo brings MRF-D Marines and gear Down Under

    USNS Bobo brings MRF-D Marines and gear Down Under

    Photo By Sgt. James Gulliver | Marines with Logistics Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, await the...... read more read more

    DARWIN, NT, AUSTRALIA

    04.01.2014

    Story by Cpl. James Gulliver 

    Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

    EAST ARM WHARF, DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia – Waves gently crashed against the boat as Marines awaited the order to move. The logistics officer shouted the command as Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment – 3 rushed into action, immediately pulling mission- essential gear from the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, to the ground below.

    The Marines were unloading gear designed to support the Marine Air- Ground Task Force (MAGTF) for a six- month rotation.

    Marine Rotational Force – Darwin is a tangible demonstration of the United States’ sustained commitment to the U.S. – Australia alliance and to the Asia-Pacific region, building upon the positive outcome of the previous rotations.

    “MRF-D is composed of three elements: the ground combat element, logistics combat element and aviation combat element,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Puglisi, officer-in-charge, Forward Coordination Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin. “The main objective is to conduct interoperability training with the Australian Defence Forces.”

    The Marines on the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo are part of the Logistics Combat Element of the MAGTF, and provide direct support tactical logistics in the areas of transportation, intermediate-level supplies, field-level maintenance and general engineering. It is composed primarily of Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment – 3, stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

    “The LCE brings a lot to the battlefield, giving Marines the capability to move any piece of gear they need to any point where it is needed,” said 2nd Lt. Emily Kay, the transportation service platoon commander for MRF-D.

    “The Logistics Combat Element is composed of numerous entities to include the Australians, Navy and the Marines,” said Lt. Tyler Laverick, the strategic sealift officer, for MRF-D. “All these elements have to come together to make not just the offload of the Bobo go efficiently, but also the rest of the rotation.”

    The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, is part of the maritime prepositioning fleet and is carrying more than 1,000 tons of supplies, vehicles and ammunition, designed to support MRF-D. The ship was named after 2nd Lt. John Bobo, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.

    “The Bobo is designed to carry supplies and Marines for an amphibious landing, and can support those Marines for up to 30 days,” said Laverick. “It can carry any type of military vehicle from tanks to construction vehicles.”

    As the day came to a close, the Marines and sailors were still hard at work unloading gear and vehicles preparing for the next stage of the deployment.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.01.2014
    Date Posted: 03.31.2014 21:43
    Story ID: 123415
    Location: DARWIN, NT, AU

    Web Views: 806
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN