SPMAGTF-SC activates, uncases colors in preparation for deployment

Photo By Staff Sgt. Frans Labranche | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina – Four elements of Marines form the newly activated Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC) here March 16. Reserve Marines from more than 30 units across the country come together to activate the task force whose mission is to train partner nations in security operations and to stand prepared to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Central and South America, a region known to experience hurricanes, earthquakes, and mudslides.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

03.16.2018

Story by Sgt. Booker Thomas 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

Nearly 300 Marines and sailors from more than 40 units combined to form and activate Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command in an assumption of command and activation ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 16.

"We've been working on this over the last six months. We began early in the summer with planning conferences hosted by Marine Forces Southern Command," said Col. Michael H. Oppenheim, the SPMAGTF-SC commanding officer. "Now we're activated, stood up and ready to go."

Oppenheim and Sgt. Maj. Adam N. Sheinken assumed command of SPMAGTF-SC as the commanding officer and sergeant major respectively, receiving a large, diverse group of Marines and sailors from the operating reserves. The two will oversee training leading up to and for the duration of the unit’s deployment.

"Our plan is to execute our mission and return safely as better Marines from the experience." Oppenheim said. "It's an opportunity to develop enduring relationships both with Marines and the people of our partner nations."

The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF SC are slated to deploy to Central and South America this summer to work with partners of the United States. Their mission will be to build partner capacity and support regional cooperation, further enabling them to provide security and prosperity to their citizens, and to maintain a flexible and responsive force that stands ready to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

• Date Taken: 03.16.2018
• Date Posted: 03.19.2018 16:54
• Story ID: 269881
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US