FAST Platoon Embarks For Crisis Response Exercise
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS071104-04
Release Date: 11/4/2007 7:25:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian May, USS Wasp Public Affairs
USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- Forty-eight Marines from 2nd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST), 4th Battalion embarked on the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) Nov. 1 in Bahrain in support of a crisis response exercise.
FAST has the responsibility of setting up perimeters and maintaining external security watches in areas that are captured by the United States for use during crisis response situations when a Marine Expeditionary Unit is not available.
"We set a hard and fast perimeter for the area we secure," said Sgt. Matthew Cancience, 2nd Fleet FAST platoon guide. "We set a perimeter of the area with Marines on post and set a defensive posture on the area. Our job is to deter, detect and defend, and mitigate anything happening to the area."
While aboard Wasp, the Marines will perform a fast-roping exercise and other training evolutions.
"By doing these exercises we know what to expect when a real situation occurs," said Marine Cpl. Kyle Verhelst, FAST team member.
Based out of Yorktown, Va., 4th Battalion is currently deployed to Bahrain. They embarked aboard Wasp in support of a crisis response exercise. Wasp is currently serving as the command platform for the evolution.
The crisis response exercise is being conducted Nov. 1-7 off the coast of Bahrain to enhance crisis response capabilities in case humanitarian assistance and disaster relief is requested from a regional nation in a time of crisis.
"This exercise gives [the Marines] the experience of going from ship to shore to perform their mission," said Capt. Andrew Thomas, FAST platoon commander. "This also gives us an opportunity to show the commanders what we are capable of in performing during these types of missions and more."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
