CLB-6 takes reins as SPMAGTF-CR-AF Detachment A during transfer of authority

Photo By Master Sgt. Bryan Peterson | Combat Logistics Battalion 6 commanding officer Lt. Col. Matthew B. Hakola speaks to Marines with MWSS-272 andCLB-6 during the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Detachment A transfer of authority ceremony, July 30, aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, Italy. Combat Logistics Battalion 6 replaced MWSS-272 as the SPMAGTF-CR-AF LCE. The battalion will be responsible for executing theater security cooperation missions across the African continent. The Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen of SPMAGTF-CR-AF will work with partner nations to develop stronger relationships and increase stability across the continent by increasing the capabilities of the host nation militaries. The training will encompass everything from teaching host nation militaries infantry tactics and small-boat operations to convoy operations and vertical engineering.  

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, ITALY

07.30.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Bryan Peterson 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy - Combat Logistics Battalion 6 took command of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Detachment A from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, July 30.

The battalion assumed logistics and theater security cooperation (TSC) missions during the TOA, which will build upon the partnerships and engagements MWSS-272 and previous rotations have built. The missions are designed to enhance partnerships and promote regional stability with Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen working alongside host nation militaries.

Lieutenant Col. Matthew B. Hakola, the CLB-6 commanding officer for SPMAGTF-CR-AF Det. A, praised his unit’s performance in preparation for this nine month deployment.

“We worked and prepared really hard during pre-deployment workups to make sure we were ready for this mission,” said Hakola. “Our hats are off to the Marines and sailors of MWSS-272. They set a solid foundation for us going forward. They knocked it out of the park these past six months.”

The unit was established as SPMAGTF-AF in 2011 and re-designated as SPMAGTF-CR-AF in 2014. The unique unit is comprised of a command element, aviation combat element (ACE), logistics command element (LCE) and a ground combat element (GCE). The command element, comprised primarily of Marines from 6th Marine Regiment’s headquarters, is based out of Morón Air Base, Spain. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 along with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 from the ACE, also out of the air base. Third Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, leads the GCE, which is primarily based out of Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania.

In addition, CLB-6 provides detachments of Marines and sailors to assist with operations out of Spain, Romania and Bulgaria.

During TSC missions, Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen will partner with African militaries practicing everything from infantry tactics and small-boat operations to convoy and marksmanship training.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 conducted 18 missions across nine African countries and worked with more than 1,200 soldiers, police and park rangers during their six-deployment, to include a myriad of community relations projects in the local communities around NAS Sigonella.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 commanding officer Lt. Col. Alfredo DuBois said his Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen worked tirelessly to accomplish every mission given to them.

“We are very proud of the job the Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen did during our deployment,” said DuBois. “They all came out here and executed flawlessly. With the huge logistical challenge presented by these missions going on simultaneously throughout Africa, our guys did an excellent job of supporting everyone.”

Hakola said this deployment will have its challenges, but is confident his Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen will accomplish every task given to them.

“I have no worries we will do well,” said Hakola. “We trained to this and we will build off of MWSS-272’s accomplishments and setup the next unit who comes out here better than we received it.”

SPMAGTF-CR-AF Det. A strengthens U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa’s ability to help partner nations in addressing security challenges. Over the course of their deployment, SPMAGTF-CR-AF Det. A will be deployed in more than 10 countries, training mission-specific requirements requested by host nations.

• Date Taken: 07.30.2015
• Date Posted: 07.30.2015 16:28
• Story ID: 171645
• Location: NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, IT