TINIAN, Northern Mariana Island - Marines with Combat Logistic Company 36 repaired a Tractor Rubber tired Articulated Steering Multipurpose Vehicle Dec. 15 at Tinian’s North Field to exercise unit capabilities and cross train with Marines from other sections participating in Exercise Forager Fury II.
The training allows CLC-36 to demonstrate the necessity for their presence and gives the Marines an opportunity to work in a field environment. The Marines are with CLC-36, currently assigned to MAG-12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
FFII is a joint exercise and its purpose is to employ and assess combat power generation in a deployed and austere environment.
“CLC-36 mission was to provide maintenance to heavy equipment assets, motor transportation assets and utilities assets,” said Capt. Roderick Singleton, executive officer with CLC-36. “With the integration (Marine Wing Support Squadron 171), we’ve grown close relationships and strengthen our unit effort so they can understand what we can do, what we can provide and the forces we can bring. Now MWSS-171 understands how valuable we actually are to them.”
The work load proved itself to be an exceptional challenge as CLC-36 repaired more than 70 items including but not limited to TRAMs, generators and other various equipment within FFII.
“The biggest successful for was being able to assist heavy equipment operations and clear the runways,” said Staff Sgt. Horton Brickman, staff noncommissioned officer with CLC-36. “A TRAM tires goes down and with our turn-around rate so successful we’ll get that TRAM back up within that same day.”
FFII provided CLC-36 Marines the opportunity to cross train with heavy equipment and motor transportation Marines with MWSS-171, Marine aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
“Within our detachment, it didn’t matter what type of mechanic the Marine was, if they were a utilities mechanic, generator mechanic or motor transportation mechanic, we helped where ever we could,” said Brickman. “It was a good time for the Marines to cross train and appreciate each other’s (military occupational specialties).”
The opportunity to work in an austere environment afforded the Marines a chance to become innovative because they had to think outside the box, not having all the assets they do in the rear, according to Brickman. This helps further their knowledge and expertise in the event they end up deploying; they ready to work instead of delaying work trying to assess the situation.
“I’m finding creative ways to do maintenance out in the field,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Mayberry, generator mechanic with CLC-36. “Thinking outside the box and making solutions and fixes for problems that I normally wouldn’t have the chance to do in a garrison environment has made me more well-verse. Out here, we have to improvise and use what we have on hand.”
FFII increases operational readiness and improves core expeditionary combat readiness of not just MAG-12, III MEF, but for CLC-36 as well showcasing what they can bring to the fight.
“Our Marines made themselves extreme valuable out here during the exercise providing outstanding combat logistic support to MWSS-171 with regards to field maintenance, and field supply as well,” said Singleton. “The exercise has been successful and the Marines have made a name for themselves here doing great work.”