24th Marines embark Blue Ridge during exercise UFL '03
7th Fleet
Release Date: 9/3/2003
Journalist 2nd Class Shawn Burns, Seventh Fleet public affairs
ABOARD USS BLUE RIDGE AT SEA -- Marines from the 24th Marines, a Marine Corps Reserve unit out of Kansas City, Mo., embarked USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) for two weeks in August to participate in exercise Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) 2003.
UFL 2003 was a combined and joint computer simulation-driven exercise, involving the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Combined Forces Command. It was designed to help both militaries work together better and refine their procedures for emergency situations.
The role of the Marines aboard the Seventh Fleet command-and-control ship during the exercise was to work with other services to maximize the utilization of forces in theater. The 24th Marines belong to the Fourth Marine Division.
According to Fourth Marine Division commanding general, Maj. Gen. John J. McCarthy, normally the Third Marine Expeditionary Force, based on Okinawa, fill the Marine Corps role aboard Blue Ridge during UFL.
"This year, due to commitments of Marine forces other places around the world, the Fourth Marine Division was asked to augment the Marine forces during the UFL training evolution," McCarthy said.
McCarthy explained in the exercise scenario, the Fourth Marines become temporary assets of the Commander Combined Naval Component Command (CCNCC) until their commitments are carried out.
"I work now for [Vice Adm. Robert Willard, CCNCC commander] and I participate under his guidance in all my planning and development of the operations," McCarthy said. "Then I command the landing and initial assault operations, and once I'm firmly ashore, then I'm transferred back to the Marines."
Sgt. James Marble of Edwardsville, Kan., said participating in UFL 2003 isn't any different from other training the 24th Marines conduct.
"The situation in the region right now doesn't make this exercise any different because we train as we fight," Marble, an intelligence analyst, said. "We are just doing more work with less personnel [than we would have in a real contingency.]"
Marble, whose role in the exercise was to provide leadership with information on the current weather conditions, location of the enemy, and changes in the terrain as it comes in, is participating in his third UFL, but his first aboard ship.
Marble said he has been underway before, but for other young Marines, this is their first experience of life aboard ship, prompting many to learn not only how to get around the many spaces, but also to learn new lingo, watch the low ceilings and adjust to tight spaces.
"This is definitely a culture shock," said Staff Sgt. Glenn Sowash of Sadalia, Mo. "You have to learn the whistles, understand the Navy terminology and find your way around, but I've been impressed with the way the Navy guys point you around in the right direction when you're lost."
Regimental Sgt. Maj. John Dean, an Atlanta native, noted that during his time as an active-duty Marine, he always appreciated the camaraderie between the two services.
"There's always been a Navy-Marine Corps rivalry, but when get aboard ship it's all one team," Dean said.
McCarthy added that he is particularly interested in the performance of his young Marines, many of who are being asked to perform at a much higher level than they are trained to do.
"I always like to focus on the training opportunities that we've had and how well our young Marines have responded to our training opportunities," McCarthy said.
"I'm extremely pleased to have this kind of training opportunity for them because its very challenging, demanding and very much tied to real world scenarios. Our younger Marines who are here doing this for the first time...they are learning to do things at a level much above the tactical level they normally work at. I've been extremely pleased with their performance.
"Now for the officers and the staff NCOs whose experience level is a little different, I think that they have demonstrated very strong leadership and helped with teaching and mentoring the young Marines and bring them along, so as a team I think we've done a great job," he added.
UFL 2003 wrapped Aug. 29, with the Marines disembarking the ship during a brief stop at Chinhae, South Korea, before the ship headed back to it forward operating base of Yokosuka, Japan. The Marines headed back to the States, another year's worth of experience under their collective belts.
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