Military

Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 3 Returns

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091023-17
Release Date: 10/23/2009 2:03:00 PM

By Lt. Kate Raia, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command West Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Over 500 active and reserve Sailors assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 3 returned to Naval Air Station North Island, Oct. 21 following a seven-month deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations.

MSRON 3 is comprised of Boat Division 34, Boat Detachments 341 and 342, Security Detachments (SecDet) 321, and 541, San Diego; Security Detachment 541 Forth Worth, Texas; Boat Detachment 922, Evert, Wa., and Security Detachment 321. Sailors from other selected reserve units, including Boat Detachment 343; Seal Beach, Calif., and Security Detachment 331; San Antonio, Texas augmented MSRON 3 and Security Detachment 321, based in Rota, Spain.

The squadron provided seaward surveillance and security forces in amphibious areas and harbors, and military significant coastal and inshore areas.

This was the maiden deployment for MSRON 3 and they were successful in every sense. The squadron conducted 400 boat escort missions, 180,000 people and 35,000 vehicles were vetted and there were zero attacks upon them. SecDet 321 conducted missions in 20 different countries.

"They topped the bar with what MESF (Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces) forces are supposed to do," said MSRON 3 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Stanfield Chien.

The squadron continued the mission of providing harbor defense and port security to seaward approaches and waterways to include manning Iraqi oil platforms, and providing force protection and escort services to designated assets transiting chokepoints and in ports.

This deployment gave Sailors numerous opportunities and the Sailors definitely took advantage. Over 200 personnel received their expeditionary warfare qualification and twenty-two personnel were advanced to chief petty officer.

"Sailors got to show what they could do based on merit and not just rank," said Cmdr. Chien.

Sailors were also given the chance to experience the different cultures and conducted numerous hours of community relations projects in the various countries they visited.

MSRON 3 is part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders.

For more news from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/eod1/.