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Michigan Reserves are locked, loaded in defense of CJTF-HOA

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200332554428
Story by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti(March 25, 2003) -- As U.S. forces and coalition partners wage war with Iraq, force protection here has increased the number of Marines on duty protecting the camp, added specialized training to counteract threats and also made engineer improvements to the camp's landscape, according to Lt. Col. Harold J. Flanagan, force protection officer, Command Logisitics Element, a native of New Orleans.

Force protection is provided by Marines from Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, a reserve infantry unit from Grand Rapids, Mich., here supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's mission to detect, disrupt and defeat transnational terrorists operating in East Africa.

"We're the force protection for the base, internally and externally 24-hours a day," said Sgt. T. Corbin Owens, sergeant of the guard, CLE.

Owens noted, the force is fully engaged patrolling and standing post to ensure the safety and security of the camp and its personnel.

The internal force is positioned along the camp's perimeter in bunkers and towers, ready for any type of threat that may confront them. Additional internal duties include guarding classified information and searching vehicles entering the compound.

On a daily basis, the force protection section, who are the overall coordinators of the camp's security, meet with Djiboutian military officials and other military counterparts in the region to identify different threats in the area and how to utilize Camp Lemonier's assets to deter those threats, Flanagan said.

"The essence of any security mission is alertness," said Maj. Scott H. Smith, commanding officer, Company A. "They (Marines) have to remain vigilant and aware of all their surroundings."

Another asset, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), is comprised of Marines who are always on standby, waiting for any type of immediate crisis.

"There could be an attack on the base, a bomb or mass causalities," Owens said, a Grand Rapids native. "These guys are always ready at a moments notice to respond to those types of situations."

Along with their internal security, these Marines patrol a nearly 100-acre area outside of the base's perimeter as well.

Recently, they located an abandoned bunker complex that was used by French forces at one time.

Reconnaissance of that area was vital for base security, according to Owens.

"You just never know. The enemy could be storing weapons in them," Owens said. "Our job is to keep the threat as far from the base as possible."

Nothing unusual was found in the abandoned structures, but nothing can be taken for granted here - attention to detail is everything.

"Everyday I wake up and know I'm keeping the personnel here under a safe blanket, which allows them to do their part to destroy terrorism," Owens said.