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Fox up and running, 2d FSSG assets ready

USMC

Story Identification Number: 20033411589
Story by Cpl. G. Lane Miley

CAMP FOX, Kuwait(Feb. 22, 2003) -- Nestled in a tent city not far from the Iraqi border, Marines and sailors from 2nd Force Service Support Group call the desert plains home as the global war on terrorism continues.

With security preparations well underway some of the Camp Lejeune, N.C, Marines fortify bunkers, while others continue their Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) training. One major role-player in this process is Gunnery Sgt. Donald J. Zerillo and a group of 37 young men and women he calls his security force.

"My biggest responsibility is maintaining security," said Zerillo, the guard chief for Headquarters and Service Battalion. "It is my job to maintain the guard force, train the Marines and be an advisor to the command."

The Collierville, Tenn., native is a military policeman by trade - one of the few on his security force. Every one else is augmented from other units. He said the fact that his team has various occupational specialties is actually the unit's strength.

"They're great. They don't bring any bad habits," he praised. "They are getting a lot of good training because they are not MPs."

Zerillo said his Marines never stop. He has his sergeants teaching crew-served weapons classes, and others covering radio procedures to keep his Marines in a security/law enforcement mindset. Zerillo said NBC preparedness is a constant effort.

Corporal Kary Maddox takes her chemical suit to work because of how far away from the base camp her working tent is. According to force protection rules, everyone must be within 10 minutes of his or her suits.

"Some people complain, but it's piece of mind to have," the Sacramento, Calif., native said. "It's like back at Lejeune - all the field ops (exercises) didn't make sense until we got here. Now we see the purpose and we're glad we did them. It's better to go in over prepared than under."

And prepared this camp is, said Maddox. It even boasts home amenities like a dining facility and hot showers. However, Maddox realizes the deployment isn't a leisure float.

"People have different tension levels," the computer-networking specialist noted. "Nobody really knows when we're moving, so it's out of mind."

Corporal Cassondra A. Wells, one of Maddox's fellow networking specialists from Data Platoon, Communications Company, is on her first deployment. She calls it a learning experience. The Rochester, Penn., native said she is ready to stay here as long as it takes.

Both of these all-meritorious Marines said one thing that keeps them going is knowing their families and others are behind them. Maddox said when she left Lejeune both families and strangers waved her off.

"You don't realize the support you have until something happens," she added.

Zerillo, Wells and Maddox are a just a few of the Marines that will allow Camp Fox to support U.S. Central Command assets in Kuwait. 2nd FSSG elements first arrived here in late-December, and will continue to maintain a presence until ordered to return home. Brig. Gen. Michael R. Lehnert commands the group.