Photo By Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Pay Reh, left, an engineer equipment electrical system...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – U.S. Marine Corps water support technicians, known as “water dogs,” with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted water purification operations during exercise Coastal Forge.
Water support technicians are part of the engineer community in the Marine Corps. They are responsible for working with water purification systems and water storage. They hold key roles in humanitarian, training and deployed environments.
Sgt. John R. Marshall IV, an electrician with MWSS-373, describes the mission set of the platoon during the exercise: “We conducted mobile Lightweight Purification System training to expand expeditionary capabilities to fit into the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept and field new ways of being able to be highly mobile and provide expedient water purification.”
Coastal Forge tested Marines’ ability to rapidly set up spoke sites, giving aviation units the ability to launch and sustain missions from forward locations across the world. The exercise, which was held in September 2025, provided MWSS-373 with the opportunity to practice combat support roles and proof of concept for hub, spoke and node site operations. The hub, spoke, and node concept is a vital part of the U.S. Marine Corps' strategy to enhance operational effectiveness and adaptability in modern warfare. By leveraging this model, the Marines can ensure they are prepared to meet the challenges of future conflicts, maintaining readiness and responsiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape.
“With the Marine Corps moving to the EABO concept, we want to be smaller, quicker, and expeditious,” said Gunnery Sgt. Volodymyr Tumashev, a utilities operation chief with MWSS-373. “And making us able to deploy in an austere environment to provide the water our company or squadron needs.”
The LWPS is a key asset that enables these forward operations. The LWPS 3.0 has different size variants that are capable of purifying hundreds of gallons of fresh water or seawater per hour. During the exercise, the LWPS’ were employed in different locations to purify ocean water and pond water to be used by the Marines throughout the exercise. The systems are capable of purifying water in a variety of environments including those with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards.
“For MWP operations, utilities platoon demonstrated EABO fundamentals by placing LWPS in back of a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle high-back, purifying and distributing potable water for the entire force without maintaining a static location with legacy tactics, techniques, and procedures,” said Capt. Zachary Adler, a company commander with MWSS-373.
Coastal Forge was a field exercise demonstrating mastery of aviation ground support while simulating distributed maritime operations. A realistic threat informed scenario prepared the Marines’ mindsets heading into the exercise, in which they executed their assigned missions based on commander’s intent. This exercise highlighted a proof of concept for Mobile Water Purification and new Airfield Damage Assessment reporting during a base recovery after action. For ADA, combat engineers proved a new method for reporting and plotting damage plots on runways using the Marine Air-Ground Tablet, showing a 66 percent decrease in time with one-sixth the manpower compared to the same training event last year.
After demonstrating mastery of core aviation ground support activities, Marines showcased provisional infantry tactics during the final live-fire and maneuver. The event incorporated two support-by-fire positions with medium machine guns, enabling combat engineers to conduct an explosive breach of concertina wire obstacles with expedient Bangalores before clearing notional enemy from the objective area.
Exercises like Coastal Forge continue to highlight the Marine Corps’ commitment to fight at any time, in any place, and with a moment's notice.
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2025 17:52 |
| Story ID: | 548184 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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