Caribbean Thunder
The USAR sponsored its own exercises such as Caribbean Thunder, a field training exercise for USAR combat service support units stationed on Puerto Rico. In 1997 and 1998 Annual Training exercises in Vieques Island were called Caribbean Thunder. The training exercise was sponsored by the Puerto Rican Army Reserve (65th RFC) and consisted of approximately 1,100 Reserve and Guard members.
In 1999 thirty-nine members of the 135th Support Detachment Rear Operations Center (ROC) Army National Guard participated in annual training at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico. This was the third year that the unit participated in Caribbean Thunder. The 135th ROC is an Echelon Above Corps unit and consists of five sections: Operations and Intelligence, Fire Support, Area Damage Control, Plans and Base Defense Liaison Teams (BDLT). The 135th ROC typically operates within an Area Support Group (ASG) and coordinates rear security for units that deploy within their area of operation. Highlights of the training period in Puerto Rico were 24-hour sustained ROC operations in a field environment; integration with an ASG; realistic BDLT involvement; and, with the aid of personnel selected to perform as enemy forces, the testing and improvement of rear security operations. Prior to redeployment to their home station, the 135th ROC deployed from Camp Santiago to Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station (NAS) via convoy. While at the NAS, the soldiers toured an aircraft carrier, the USS Wasp (LHD - 1), while it was in port. Home station deployment and redeployment via C-130s were coordinated with Air Guard units in Missouri and Nebraska.
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