Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade tested a capability set (CAPSET) they maintain in Morón Air Base, Spain 11-15 Dec., 2017. The CAPSET is a forward deployed, self-contained, scalable collection of communication equipment and shelter that provides the 2d MEB staff the ability to have self-sufficient command and control/situational awareness functionalities to enhance the Commanding General's decision cycle for sustained operations.
The capability inventory assures the unit and the Marine Corps that the MEB maintains the ability to respond as a joint task force-capable command element in the European and African area of operations. Once notified of a crisis, the MEB has as little as 12 to 24 hours to deploy an initial response team. When the rest of the command element is in place, they are considered fully operational and can employ a composited forward-deployed force to meet their assigned mission.
This inventory was the first that was tested since 2014, when the CAPSET was employed during Operation Oaken Lotus, where Marines assisted in the departure of U.S. personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya.
It was during this time period that the MEB received responsibility for the capability during the shift to the “new normal” method of operating. The “new normal” is a post OIF/OEF force which is restructured to handle the full range of military operations by pre-positioning forces throughout the world.
“On a day-to-day basis, the [Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa] owns and maintains this capability, however when we conduct operational checks we have the opportunity to install and test software updates and ensure the network is running smoothly,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Floyde K. Rhoades, the Operations Chief for 2nd MEB.
Such updates are necessary to keep the equipment battle-ready, so the MEB staff can fall in on fully operational gear and get into the fight at a moment’s notice.
“This visit was actually conducted in two parts,” said Col. John P. Sullivan, 2nd MEB Chief of Staff. “Marines with the technical knowledge went in first to update the system and planners from the unit arrived later in the week to conduct a staff visit.”
The staff visit allowed intelligence, operations, logistics, and communications Marines the opportunity to become familiar with the capability. The Marines also got the chance to interact with the SPMAGTF-CR-AF staff to discuss topics relevant to their shared area of responsibility.
Overall, the training was the perfect reminder of the MEB’s role in being prepared to respond to crises across the spectrum of threats in the range of military operations.
“It’s too easy to focus on the big threats, but we can’t forget about the less-than-peer threats. We have to maintain our ability to respond to threats that are more likely to occur, not just the most dangerous ones,” said Rhoades.