Emerging From Hibernation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Abrey Liggins | U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Europe 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, offloads a Medium Crawler Tractor during an equipment retrograde in Vaernes, Norway, July 17, 2020. The purpose of the retrograde is to return the equipment back to the United States to be repaired or upgraded with new parts. MRF-E conducts various exercises including arctic cold-weather and mountain-warfare training, as well as military-to-military engagements throughout Europe that enhance cooperation among partners and allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abrey Liggins)  

VAERNES, NORWAY

07.22.2020

Story by Sgt. Abrey Liggins 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

VAERNES GARRISON, Norway – As the Marine Corps evolves with a stronger focus with deployments in the Western Pacific, higher level amphibious capability, and greater integration between the Marines and Navy, changes to enact its vision occur all across the planet, even in the Arctic Circle.

For decades, stockpiles of U.S. Marine Corps materials have been staged deep within several climate-controlled storage caves around Norway to accommodate missions the Marines held in the Nordic area. During this new decade, the equipment will receive a new home.

Throughout the duration of the Marine Rotational Force – Europe (MRF-E) 20.2 deployment, U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Detachment (CLD) worked to return the equipment to the United States and several other countries like Germany, Belgium, and Kuwait, during an event called The Retrograde.

“The purpose of the retrograde is to get Marine Corps–owned equipment back to the United States in order to retrofit all of the older, used equipment so that the equipment remains ready for use in operations,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Carlos Hernandez, the officer in charge of planning and carrying out the movement. “It all starts with gear accountability, and once we have the accurate picture, we can start planning the movement of this gear all over the world to make sure that Marines have well-maintained combat-ready equipment.”

One of the main focuses coming to Norway for MRF-E 20.2 was to retrograde the prepositioned equipment. The CLD Marines already loaded the first wave of equipment mid-July to transport by sea to the United States and are preparing for several more, as well as air and ground transportation.

To ensure the gear was ready to move, the Marines performed detailed mechanical inspections to determine if any erosion had occurred, which allowed them to establish if the gear was serviceable. Afterward, they spent several days washing and inspecting every piece of gear to ensure the job was accomplished.

“Most of the gear is in condition code alpha, which means it just needs some modifications,” Hernandez said. “The gear will be retrofitted with its modifications and then sent to the operating forces so they have the gear they need to be mission capable and ready to deploy at any given moment.”

“We’re that muscle,” said 1st. Lt. Randolph L. Louzau Rossello, the executive officer of the combat logistics detachment with MRF-E 20.2. “We plan, coordinate, and oversee any movement when it comes to retrograding all the gear that has been here for rotation after rotation in order to get it back to the final destination— anywhere that gear needs to go back to.”

• Date Taken: 07.22.2020
• Date Posted: 08.11.2020 07:35
• Story ID: 375691
• Location: VAERNES, NO