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Marines deploy for Internal Look '03

Marine Corps News

12/02/2002

Story by Sgt. A.C. Strong

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(Nov. 22, 2002) -- Several hundred 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Marines and Sailors deployed Nov. 19 and 21, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

As elements of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, the deployed Marines and Sailors will participate in Internal Look '03, a Central Command-sponsored biennial exercise designed to test the unified command's ability to command operational forces from a forward deployed location.

"Internal Look is an outstanding opportunity for us to orient ourselves to an extremely vital area of the world and build solid relationships within the unified command structure," said Colonel Gerald A. Yingling, Jr., 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing chief of staff. "We'll also be able to discuss coordination issues with other services and coalition forces. This exercise will result in a valuable exchange of information between joint and multi-national forces."

Acting as the nation's crisis-response force of choice, the Marine Corps, and in turn I MEF, are effective across the entire spectrum of conflict. This standing Marine air-ground task force can conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. In addition, as a warfighting unit, I MEF is prepared to engage in direct combat operations and major theater war at a moment's notice. This versatility makes I MEF a premier force in readiness in the U.S. military.

"Barring any requirements to support anything beyond the scope of the exercise, the plan is to test and evaluate how well we are able to plug into a forward deployed unified command system, learn how to do it even better, and start rotating Marines home to their families," said Yingling.

The unit will remain ready to support any missions directed by the President in support of the ongoing global war against terrorism.

"The spirit of international cooperation in exercises like Internal Look reminds us that people all over the world have a stake in the war on terror, not just us," said Yingling.