U.S. Security Cooperation unit conducts change of command in Italy

Photo By Sgt. Lucas Hopkins | Lieutenant Colonel Alfredo DuBois, the commanding officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa in Sigoenella, talks to Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-CR-AF during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Feb. 1, 2015. Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 is the first wing support squadron to command the logistics combat element of SPMAGTF-CR-AF. The unit is scheduled to conduct more than 20 partner-nation training missions in ten different countries throughout Eastern and Western Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lucas J. Hopkins/Released)  

SIGONELLA, ITALY

02.01.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Lucas Hopkins 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy – Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 assumed the logistics and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) missions of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa from Combat Logistics Battalion 2 at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Feb. 1, 2015.

The logistics combat element for SPMAGTF-CR-AF will continue to enhance the partnerships with African nations through engagements. By working with the militaries of Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, Uganda and other countries, the Marines help increase regional stability and the U.S. Marine Corps’ ability to work alongside partner nations.

Lt. Col. Alfredo DuBois, the commanding officer of SPMAGTF-CR-AF Detachment A, stressed the importance of the training his unit conducted leading up to this deployment.

“To the Marines, Sailors and Coastguardsmen of 272, I really appreciate all of your hard work up to this point. You are ready,” said DuBois. “I look forward to serving alongside you as we continue the mission and the professional legacy we have inherited from our counterparts.”

Established as SPMAGTF-AF in 2011 and re-designated as SPMAGTF-CR-AF in 2014, the unit is comprised of a command element, aviation combat element, logistics combat element, and ground combat element gathered from various units within II Marine Expeditionary Force. MWSS-272 serves as the logistics combat element in support of SPMAGTF-CR-AF, while providing combat logistics detachments at Moron Air Base, Spain and Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania.

The TSC teams have travelled throughout Western and Eastern Africa, engaging in mutual training that includes, but is not limited to, infantry tactics, combat engineering, combat lifesaving, and small boat operations and maintenance.

More than 375 Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, joined eight U.S. Coastguardsmen to the train approximately 620 African military personnel in 44 separate engagements in across 19 different countries.

“They came out here, performed and executed. I couldn’t have asked for anything better than that,” said Lt. Col. William Stophel, the outgoing commanding officer of SPMAGTF-CR-AF Det. A.

Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa heightens U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa’s ability to help partner nations in addressing security challenges. Over the next six months, SPMAGTF-CR-AF Det. A is scheduled for 27 missions in ten African countries.

• Date Taken: 02.01.2015
• Date Posted: 02.05.2015 05:29
• Story ID: 153598
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT