U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Clayton W. Septant, incoming commanding officer of Headquarters Company, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command 19.1, addresses Marines following a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 26, 2018. The ceremony represented the official passing of authority and responsibility for the company from Capt. John E. Auer, the outgoing commanding officer, to Septant. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin A. Huffty)
The sun rose from the crest of the horizon, over the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command 19.1. The morning light danced along the dust kicked up from a Marine’s back stroke with the shovel.
Clouds from the southwest crept eerily close to the command post, threatening rain. The storm, projected to cause massive flash flooding, was incentive enough for the Marines to start hunkering down.
Trenches were dug to prevent the vital equipment inside the command post from being damaged or destroyed. Sandbags were placed along the edge of the trenches to further control the flow of water, as well as across the base of the tents to keep them from blowing away in harsh winds.
Marines were taking part in...
