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Forward Oscar Group Reports for Unique Duty

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041214-05
Release Date: 12/14/2004 2:19:00 PM

By Lt. Mike Randazzo, Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force Public Affairs

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (NNS) -- More than 400 Navy Reservists mobilized by the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force (NAVELSF) here began six weeks of intensive training to fulfill a customs inspection mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Dec. 12. This is the first time that this requirement is being fulfilled by the Navy.

As members of the newly formed "NAVELSF Forward Oscar Group," the Navy Reservists will execute a two-fold mission: ensure returning military equipment conforms to U.S. Department of Agriculture standards; and ensure all gear returning with personnel serving abroad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom complies with U.S. customs regulations.

"The customs inspection mission is a concrete example of maximizing the Navy's human capital resources to meet the needs of this very unique and important requirement," said Vice Adm. John Cotton, chief of the Navy Reserve.

The battalion is organized into three companies ranging from 70 to 180 personnel. Companies are organized with a company commander, who is a Navy lieutenant commander; assistant company commander, a Navy lieutenant; a company chief petty officer; up to six platoon leaders, led by Navy chief petty officers; and customs inspectors who are Navy E-6 and E-5 enlisted personnel.

"Navy personnel will work directly for the Army to provide this combat service support mission," said Group Oscar's commanding officer Lt. Col. Gerry Guerrero, a Marine Corps Reservist. "These Sailors will relieve Air Force personnel who have performed the mission for the past year. We view this not as a Navy mission but as a mission for this country."

The Reservists, who represent a diverse array of Navy job specialties, reported to their Reserve centers in November. From there, they traveled to the Naval Mobilization Processing Site in Norfolk, Va., for mobilization briefings and medical screenings.

The customs inspections training, which will take place at NAVELSF facilities at the Cheatham Annex and at Army training sites in nearby Fort Eustis, includes weapons; chemical, biological and radiological defense; self and perimeter defense; vehicle operation; combat life saving and first aide; and customs and agriculture inspection.

"When it comes to training, 'good enough' will never be good enough. We have to always be better and the training cycle will continue even when these Sailors are deployed," Guerrero said. "We are committed to making sure that each Sailor receives the training he or she needs to meet, or exceed, the mission requirements," he added.

NAVELSF is an operational force of the Navy's U.S. Fleet Forces Command, organized and staffed to deliver expeditionary logistics capabilities with mobilization-ready Naval Reserve force Sailors and equipment to theater commanders in support of the national military strategy. NAVELSF consists of a full-time and selective reserve support staff, Navy cargo handling battalions, Navy supply support battalions, an expeditionary logistics response cell, and deployable ammunition handling and reporting teams. The command supports more than 4,000 Naval Reservists located throughout the United States, encompassing more than 90 percent of the U.S. Navy's supply and transportation expeditionary units.