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3rd MEB wraps up Talisman Sabre 2011

US Marine Corps News

7/29/2011
By Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr., Marine Corps Bases Japan

USS BLUE RIDGE, Australia -- As the Marine Forces Command for Talisman Sabre 2011, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, part of III Marine Expeditionary Force, has contributed to the success of the exercise.

TS ’11 is a U.S. Pacific Command theater-security cooperation exercise that trains PACOM forces in short-warning, power-projection scenarios involving a combined task force and improves combat training, readiness and interoperability of U.S. and Australian forces.

Operating as the Combined Forces Land Component Command, 3rd MEB was given the chance to show how they operate.

All the Marines involved with TS ’11, including forward-deployed Marines onboard the USS Blue Ridge and Marines at the main Command Operations Center back on Camp Courtney, did a superb job, said Col. Craig Q. Timberlake, commander of 3rd MEB.

During the exercise, 3rd MEB was given ample opportunity to hone their skills and display their warfighting acumen.

“One of our main priorities was to demonstrate we would be able to command and control from the USS Blue Ridge, while the main was still set up on Camp Courtney,” said Timberlake.

This was a task 3rd MEB handled effectively, according to Timberlake. The success of this exercise illustrates the operational importance of the MEB and aligns III MEF’s command and control with the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ vision.

“This shows that no matter what 3rd MEB is involved with, whether it be humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations or a kinetic fight, the unit is able to function across the broad spectrum of mission assets,” said Lt. Col. Stephen P. Armes, operations officer for 3rd MEB.

This cross-functionality includes interacting with other services, including the Australian forces.

“It was good,” said Australian Navy Petty Officer Oliver Stojanovski, an electronic warfare specialist. “This wasn’t just the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Army; it was all the different services. It was a real coalition.”

It has been great to come into a combined-joint environment and see the different way other forces do things, said Maj. Mark E. Halverson, communications officer for 3rd MEB.

“It was my first time in this area of responsibility and doing this exercise,” said Chief Petty Officer Odis D. Bell, a chief master-at-arms. “It was a good experience, a learning experience.”

Scenarios explored during TS ’11 were a great way to prepare for real-life events that could involve U.S. and Australian Forces, added Bell. Coming together, communicating and putting minds together to accomplish the mission should aid in the chemistry the two countries will possess in the future.