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31st MEU qualifies special operations capability

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 10/23/2003

Story by Sgt. S. K. D'Alessio

OKINAWA, Japan (September 26, 2003) -- Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have proven themselves to be the premier force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, as the unit sets sail after its recent Special Operations Capable certification.

The exercise was the defining factor in the unit's SOC qualification, enabling its 2000 plus Marines and Navy counterparts to conduct more than 20 sea-based missions, from mechanized amphibious beach raids to close air support and even humanitarian aid missions.

In the pre-dawn hours, Sept. 26, the MEU's Amphibious Ready Group ships moved in on a small island near Okinawa with an airfield occupied by notional enemy forces. Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, India Co. Marines collected their weapons and geared up for a specialized mission to secure an airfield.

Locked, loaded and armed to the teeth, the company piled onto CH-46E 'Sea Knight' helicopters and buckled in. In a ride reminiscent of a scene from Sir Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now,' the wave of helicopters swooped in to demonstrate their force.

Upon landing, the Marines poured out in a perfectly orchestrated array, firing their weapons at mock enemy aggressors to seize the airfield. The procedure was nothing new to the Marine Corps and its amphibious warfare doctrine. Although it was the first time for some of the individual Marines, they didn't let their inexperience deter them.

The Marines reestablished their mettle as an expeditionary fighting force with the planning and execution of the airfield seizure. It proved to be a valuable way for the unit to secure an aerial port of debarkation for the evacuation of American citizens in case of an attack, according to 1st Lt. Lex Whitney, a Boston, Mass native and executive officer for India Co.

While the Marines operated ashore, Sailors and shipboard Marines performed in situational training exercises that were linked. The III Marine Expeditionary Force Special Operations Training Group, which oversees and evaluates each cycle's SOCEX, monitored every event with evaluators who accompanied the Marines during field training.

A mass casualty drill was one the most important shipboard evolutions that ensued. Mock injured Marines were flown in to the USS Essex intermittently during the STXs, preparing the unit for the worst possible scenario. The Navy simultaneously conducted drills where the Amphibious Ready Group ships were under attack by missiles. The many scenarios were spread out on land and sea and interlaced to cause an environment of confusion and mayhem.

On Sept. 27, Marines of MEU Service Support Group 31 conducted the last large event, a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation at Camp Hansen to quell some of the chaos. A site was reserved for a mock embassy, where American citizens and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) were under duress from angry citizens. The Marines reacted quickly to secure the embassy from rioters and systematically fly out the Americans and TCNs to a safe area. The exercise demonstrated the MEU's ability to apply non-lethal tactics in the face of danger.

"Just recently in the Philippines, the live fire exercise were outstanding and the Marines did it in a condition Charlie environment," said Rear Admiral Gary R. Jones, commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet. "They demonstrated their ability to be an Expeditionary Strike Group and did it with only two ships. This just shows how powerful this Navy and Marine Corps team is."

To further meld their already solid relationship, the Marine and Navy team finished off the qualification with some nighttime training. The aviation combat element supported a direct action hit from the Maritime Special Purpose Force as they flew them to disable a significant target.

Additionally, a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission was launched that confirmed the unit's value as a rescue element.

On the last day of the exercise, before most people in the area were waking up for breakfast, the Marines ashore boarded their aircraft and amphibious vessels to head back to the ships, where they prepared for their next chance to 'Strike from the Sea.'

"There were some things we hadn't faced before, but we adapted to that," said Whitney. "I was most impressed with the Marines' abilities to make decisions on their own. Even though things didn't always go smoothly, we were aggressive and adaptable."