Maj. Neil Whitehead, an Army Commando from Commando Logistic Regiment, 3 Commando Brigade, in the United Kingdom spent ten days embedded with the operations staff of 2nd MLG during the execution phase of MEFEX 2016.
During that phase, the staff sections from 2nd MLG and its subordinate elements provided logistical support to II MEF as the logistics combat element.
Whitehead was placed with 2nd MLG because of his background in logistics and equipment support. He is the officer in charge of an equipment support company which primarily provides support to the entire 3 Commando Brigade. This is similar to the way Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd MLG supports 2nd Marine Division.
Whitehead used his experience and knowledge to offer feedback and compare common practices while the staff worked though problems the enemy generated during the exercise.
“Maj. Whitehead is clearly a highly-trained, professional officer who brought a lot of knowledge and experience, as well as a high level of inquisitiveness regarding our processes and doctrine,” said Maj. James Isaacs, senior watch officer during MEFEX.
At times, Whitehead went beyond the scenario to compare it to real-world coordination.
“Interactions Marines have with foreign officers and foreign forces help us in the way we think and interoperate. It also exposes them to our service culture, which is vital because everywhere we conduct operations we work with foreign militaries,” said Isaacs.
As II MEF battled as part of a coalition force in a foreign country, Whitehead’s noted the importance of being able to work together.
“We have discussed at length the ‘ways and means’ we can integrate and support one another on potential deployments of this nature to accomplish a common goal,” Whitehead stated.
After the exercise concluded, Whitehead sat down with Brig. Gen. Charles G. Chiarotti, commanding officer of 2nd MLG, to discuss the UK officer’s experience and future collaboration.
“The way forward is looking for opportunities to integrate our logistics capabilities to train as we will fight. This understanding of our individual services prepares us for future deployments as a coalition force,” said Chiarotti.
War fighting aside, Whitehead learned a lot about the culture of the Marine Corps.
“The professionalism, motivation and passion displayed were evident. This is a military force with a very apparent Esprit de Corps and it is that unity and sense of purpose which clearly drives them,” said Whitehead.
“I am very confident, as allies, we shall continue to prove our capacity to interoperate and deploy on a myriad of operations. I’d like to express my gratitude to the U.S. Marine Corps for allowing me this opportunity and the overall hospitality they have shown to members of 3 Command Brigade. This is a relationship that will certainly endure and will resound operational success in the future.”
| Date Taken: |
05.20.2016 |
| Date Posted: |
05.25.2016 13:59 |
| Story ID: |
199040 |
| Location: |
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: |
141 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, UK Royal Army officers participate in MEFEX 2016, by CPT Aleksandra Sawyer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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