Photo By Sgt. Sharon Hinkle | Petty Officer 2nd Class Holly Bratlee and Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Bergeron, both...... read more read more
CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - Sailors from the East Coast, the West Coast and everywhere in between come together to make up Navy Group 4, the next unit scheduled to leave for Afghanistan from Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss.
The majority of the Sailors of Navy Group 4 are mostly active duty, but some are mobilized reservists. Some came from shore duty and others from ships. Several came from squadrons, and many from training commands. Despite the widespread diversity within Navy Group 4, they have managed to come together to prepare for their mission, which is to conduct detainee operations in Afghanistan. The high-profile mission is aimed at the security, housing and transportation of detainees.
"This is not a typical mission for the Navy," said Chief Petty Officer Matt Lacy, who serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge of Navy Group 4. "We are individual augmentees, brought together to support the Army in its mission."
Lacy stated that although this is the first deployment for these particular Sailors as a unit, many of the Sailors have been on several deployments. For Lacy, this will serve as his eighth. Many of the senior non-commissioned officers have served on over 12 deployments.
Although there are differences in the Army and the Navy, Lacy said that CSJFTC has been able to tailor the training to their mission, and the sailors are adjusting well.
"The facilities here have mirrored what we will see overseas, especially with the addition of civilian role players, making it very realistic everyday," says Lacy.
The Sailors are trained to maintain order among the detainees in the facility. One way to do this is to keep them on a schedule.
"If we aren't doing our job by keeping them on schedule, it can cause a disturbance in the facility," said Lacy.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Amber Taylor and Damon McGinty, both volunteers for the Afghan mission, are very excited about the deployment.
"I'm most excited about doing something I've never done," said Taylor, who is from Fallon, Nev., and stationed at Weapons Naval Air Station, Va.
"The training has been really fun and really hot," said McGinty. "I was born and raised in San Diego, Calif., and I'm stationed there as well, so I'm definitely looking forward to the new experience."
According to Lacy, the observer/controller trainers assigned to the detainee operations facility have been very helpful.
"They have been great at training us to respond to changing situations. They've helped us keep the Sailors focused on their mission," said Lacy.
When asked how he helps his sailors maintain perspective during training, Lacy responded, "We tell them it is not for us to decide guilt or innocence. You have to have a certain amount of compassion, and understand these people are institutionalized. Our job is to make sure they are safe and secure. We make sure that no one is mistreated."
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2009 14:53 |
| Story ID: | 36908 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, US |
| Web Views: | 613 |
| Downloads: | 503 |
This work, Navy Sailors Receive Army Training For Mission Overseas, by SGT Sharon Hinkle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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