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1/25 goes full throttle in Philippines

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 11/20/2003

Story by Cpl. Ryan J. Skaggs

CAMP COBRA, Zamboanga, Philippines (Nov. 1, 2003) -- Accomplishing a mission most often involves many moving parts working together and for the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines here, the Marine Security Element helps keep those parts moving in the right direction.

Consisting of Reserve Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, the MSE is paving the way of success through the streets of Zamboanga behind the wheel of convoy operations.

"We are concerned with getting people from point A to point B safely," said Sgt. Matt J. Weimann, squad leader, MSE. "Our passengers should feel confident enough to remain focused on their mission."

In support of the Global War on Terrorism, the mission of the JSOTF-P is to conduct military operations in the Republic of the Philippines, which was declared an imminent danger zone with high terrorist and criminal threat Oct. 30, 2002. Among their duty of providing 24/7 base security, the MSE is also tasked with supplying another invaluable resource as the only means of transportation off base for operations sustaining the mission of the JSOTF-P.

"The Marines are not apathetic," said Weimann, a native of Pembroke, Mass. "They realize the threat is still out there."

The Marines of "Bravo" Company counter the threat by maintaining a constant forward movement and remaining alert. Although danger in Zamboanga may not be readily visible, a terrorist threat still lingers in the shadows. The narrow and busied streets pose a course of belligerent obstacles not easily overcome without nearly scathing other commuters. However, the Marines apply the fundamentals of instruction and execute maneuvers through their precision driving abilities.

"A lot of things can go on in your head before an operation, but once you get in the vehicle, it's pure concentration," said Weimann. "I feel very confident in the experience of the drivers and the training they received."

In the three months that Bravo Company has occupied the MSE billet, they have performed over 300 convoys without incident.

"There are definitely people out there implying to harm us," remarked Weimann, "but we haven't provided a soft target for them. We have Marines who keep them from being successful."

The Londonderry, N.H., based unit is scheduled to rejoin the other companies of 1/25 at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, in November. The battalion will continue training for the remainder of the Unit Deployment Program due to conclude in December The Marines were activated in January in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.