Photo By Cpl. Logan Snyder | Lance Cpl. Jordan Hopkins, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, Charlie Comapny, 4th...... read more read more
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Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, Charlie Company, 4th Platoon, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team returned to Camp Allen on Feb. 29, and were greeted by their loved ones after a seven-month deployment to Bahrain.
The FAST Marines spent their deployment primarily training in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar in order to maintain their readiness and continue to build relationships with those countries and their militaries.
FAST Company is a quick reaction force with the primary mission to protect critical infrastructure and government assets. While 4th platoon was deployed, the Marines did not respond to a crisis but “we did get to do some awesome training with other countries around the world,” said Capt. Todd Sturgill, 4th Platoon commander and Fairfax, Va. native.
The Marines spent nearly a year training for the deployment on a wide variety of weapons systems and on nonlethal weapons capabilities such as pepper spray and tear gas. They also took part in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, fast-rope training, close-quarters combat training, and advanced urban combat training.
When the Marines of 4th Platoon returned, family members and friends were eagerly waiting for them with open arms and smiling faces. One of them was Sturgill’s wife, Sarah.
When consider training and the deployment, Captain Sturgill said, “I’ve been gone for a while so it was great seeing her. We’re pretty excited to get to spend some time together.”
Getting experience training in other countries is great for the Marines but it’s also hard to be away from your family for seven months, according to Lance Cpl. Jordan Hopkins, 4th Platoon rifleman. The Burleson, Texas, native said communicating with his family is one of the things that helped him during the deployment.
“It was hard; it was my first deployment,” said Hopkins. “It was challenging, but once you get halfway through you start counting down the days. The fact that I was able to keep in contact with [my wife] over Skype definitely kept me motivated.”
It was Hopkins’ first deployment and Sturgill’s first with Charlie Company. Both Marines agreed that family was a motivating factor while overseas. Now the Marines will be able to go on leave and spend time with their loved ones.
“It’s great; the Marines are excited to be back,” said Captain Sturgill. Now that the Marines are back, they’re going to take some well-deserved leave and prepare for their next mission.
| Date Taken: | 02.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2016 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 191147 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Hometown: | BURLESON, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FAIRFAX, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 370 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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