FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARINE FORCES UNITAS PAO
BY SGT. SAM KILLE
JULY 29, 2002
SLUG:BLUEGREEN
RESERVES COMPLETE PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING
USS PORTLAND (LSD-37) -- Political unrest sweeps through a nation and American lives are at risk. Sitting offshore is a Marine amphibious force--reinforced with a platoon of amphibious assault vehicles--anxiously awaiting any mission that may come its way.
As revolt spreads, tension increases. While U.S. citizens try to reach safety, panic ensues at the gates of a beleaguered American Embassy. Soon, the Marines receive their marching orders: get the civilians out of harm's way. Plans are drawn; the Marines are briefed. Soon, they will load into their AAVs and splash toward shore.
Though the aforementioned scenario is fictitious, the possibility of it happening is all too real in today's world. Keeping this in mind, the reserve Marines of Marine Forces UNITAS, launched from the well deck here, July 29, to perform a simulated noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The NEO capped off a week-long series of amphibious exercises, in Onslow Bay, designed to prepare the unit for its upcoming deployment to Latin America.
"The Marines were clearly enthusiastic about the training," said Lt. Col. Anthony Hattey, commanding officer, MARFOR UNITAS. "They knew it was a milestone they needed to reach before we head to South America."
In addition to the NEO, the Marines conducted a pre-dawn destruction raid and learned the art of planning for sea-based operations. Observing the exercises were active duty and reserve Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force. The observers' critiques were a valuable asset.
"The opportunity to hear from the subject matter experts in amphibious operations was outstanding," said Hattey. "We gained a lot of valuable insight from them."
It was also motivating for the reserve Marines.
"Apparently, we got the stamp of approval from them," said Lance Cpl. Alan Reifenberg, a fire team leader from New York. "Being reserves, some of us went into this feeling second class. To have them give us the 'good to go' really boosted our confidence."
Hattey's Marines seemed to understand the importance of their training.
"It's best that we learn to do these things now, not when it's time to do it for real," said Lance Cpl. Jim Larrow, an AAV crewman from Riverview, Fla. "During training, you can make and learn from your mistakes. We know that we don't want to be doing something for the first time when it's a matter of life and death."
According to Lance Cpl. Mike Brown, an infantryman from Boston, the experience was priceless.
"After these workups I know how my fellow Marines work," said Brown. "Now I know what my squad leader is thinking, even without him saying a word."
With the evolution behind them, the Marines are looking forward to nearly a week of training and liberty at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va. They are scheduled to depart the United States in early August and to return in December.
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