CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a battalion run here, March 22, to build unit cohesion in preparation for the battalion’s upcoming seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.
The mission of CLB-5 will be to provide direct logistical support to Regimental Combat Team 5 in terms of transportation, supply, maintenance and engineering, according to the unit’s mission statement.
The battalion spent the last several months preparing for their deployment and participated in various exercises including Steel Knight, a Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force level exercise, and Enhanced Mojave Viper at Twentynine Palms, Calif., in October 2011.
“The Marines have worked really hard,” said Lt. Col. Robert T. Meade, commanding officer, CLB-5. “They have done a tremendous job during the pre-deployment training process. They’ve spent a lot of long hours working up to be mentally, morally and physically prepared for this deployment.”
As a final battle-cry and farewell to the fellow Marine Corps units aboard Camp Pendleton, Meade and Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, battalion sergeant major, charged the formation across an approximate 5.5-mile distance around the 21 Area in Del Mar, making sure everyone heard them along the way.
“Discipline and good order are paramount for mission success,” Black said. “Additionally, applying the results of the five indicators of effective leadership – esprit de corps, motivation, proficiency, discipline and moral. I think we have hit all five of those things as far as our leadership from what we have seen from the Marines as they prepare to deploy.”
Many of the battalion’s Marines will be departing for their first deployment.
Sgt. Cory Brown, automotive organizational mechanic with Support Company, CLB-5, is slated to complete his second deployment to Afghanistan. His job will be to service, inspect and maintain necessary vehicle equipment.
“We have a great group of Marines and their experience level has grown throughout our pre-deployment buildup,” Brown said. “I feel like everyone’s ready.”