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Marines Complete Pre-Deployment Training on Guantanamo

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110412-17
4/12/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Marines from 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) of Norfolk, Va., who are deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, completed pre-deployment convoy operations, vehicle checkpoint and patrol training at McCalla Field April 12.

Marines conducted training patrols and vehicle checkpoints with unloaded M16 assault rifles and refined their convoy operations skills using mounted, rotating M240-B and .50-caliber machine gun turrets.

"We're a relatively young platoon, but we have adjusted to the Guantanamo mission," said Marine Capt. Issac Olvera, commander, 3rd Platoon, Alpha Co., FAST.

When the Marines are not guarding the fence line, they complete pre-deployment qualification training for the duration of their time in Guantanamo, said Olvera.

"The Marines are practicing rushing and performing dismounted patrols dealing with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device)," said Olvera, who has been deployed to the Middle East two times. "The specifics of combat preparation vary according to which region you are in within the same country, but the principles of combat are all the same."

Marines assigned to FAST are similar to other Marines of the same rank who are attached to other units within the Marine Corps, said Olvera.

"The difference is that FAST Marines spend more time in their first two years focusing on guarding national assets, bases, and in some cases, U.S. embassies," said Olvera.