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Marines practice disaster relief operations

US Marine Corps News

10/7/2010
By Lance Cpl. Jovane M. Holland, Marine Corps Bases Japan

CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan -- A simulated disaster honed 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines’ humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills during a biannual certification exercise that ran from Sept. 26 through Monday.

The MEU forces were assisted in their training by Marines from III MEF’s Special Operations Training Group, Department of State employees from six countries, including Japan, representatives from the United States Agency for International Development and the training education command group here.

The purpose of the exercise was to ensure the MEU is trained and certified in core competencies, according to Maj. Donn Puca, support branch officer-in-charge for SOTG and co-planner of the event.

A simulated typhoon slammed into the country causing major technological and environmental damage.

In the wake of the disaster, roads, communication and order were disrupted, obstructing relief efforts and leaving victims without food, medical care and shelter.

“This is one of the first times we’ve been able to recreate a scenario using our full capabilities,” Puca said, of the presence of actual U.S. Embassy and disaster relief workers, and more than 70 Marine role-players. “The reality of this exercise will help us become even more prepared for possible future responses.”

More than 100 Marines from 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in the exercise.

Marines practiced responses to a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief event, tactical recoveries of airplanes and personnel and non-combatant evacuation operations while responding to various situations presented throughout the exercise.

All participants gained valuable experience in working together and translating the operating procedures of different groups, said Caroline Schneider, a Department of State employee who role-played as the U.S. Embassy’s public affairs officer for the duration of the exercise.

Meshing the Marines, non-government organization role-players, embassy employees and USAID representatives in various meetings and scenarios was extremely productive in providing hands-on experience for the group, Schneider said.

“Each (non-government) organization here has their own culture and way of doing things, but we have a common goal when it comes to crisis management,” Schneider said. “It’s important for us to practice and take advantage of our different assets so when we are assisting another country, we provide unified relief efforts.”

Puca said he hopes the participating Marines would walk away from the training with a familiarity for the dynamic of working with federal and civilian agencies to accomplish a common goal.

For more information on the 31st MEU, visit www.marines.mil/unit/31stmeu/.