U.S., R.O.K. forces enhance logistical readiness
Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Story Identification Number: 200310291492
Story by Cpl. Danielle M. Bacon
REPUBLIC OF KOREA NAVAL BASE, Chinhae, Korea(Oct. 29, 2003) -- More than 300 Okinawa Marines and 100 California Sailors offloaded 11,000 items from maritime preposition ships here, enhancing the Corps' ability to improve rapid emergency response.
The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (forward), III Marine Expeditionary Force and 3rd Naval Beach Group, along with Republic of Korea Forces, are conducting an exercise involving equipment exchange between two maritime preposition ships - the MV Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips and the SS Sgt. Matej Kocak.
"This training is important. It proves that we can get another ship going on a moments notice," said Cpl. Gregory Clark, a boat field noncommissioned officer with Combat Service Support Detachment-34.
The evolution started Oct. 26, and is scheduled to be completed Nov. 10. At the conclusion of the exercise, the service members will have transferred 680 combat vehicles, tanks, amphibious assault vehicles and 260 containers with ammunition, tools and spare parts between the ships.
The rapid-response Kocak is based with Maritime Preposition Squadron-1, located in the Mediterranean Sea, while the Phillips serves the MPS-2 at Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia, prepared for deployment in the Indian Ocean.
These squadrons are two of a three-squadron team. The third, MPS-3, patrols the Pacific. While these squadrons are based in different regions, they can respond to different contingencies all around the world.
As part of the Maritime Preposition Force, each squadron can deliver equipment and supplies for an MEB of more than 17,000 Marines and Sailors, and sustain them for 30 days.
"This is one of our missions, but we don't get a chance to do it very often - only once a year. It is good to come out and test all of our theories," said 2nd Lt. Camilo Saavedra, officer in charge of motor transportation for CSSD-34. "Most of my Marines are (private first class). This gives them a first hand look at why we are here in this part of the world."
The Marine brigade can fly in from another location on short notice, offload the ships and be ready to conduct military operations in a matter of days.
"If you can (offload) quickly during training, then you can do it quickly when it counts," said Pfc. Brian Browning, a mechanic with CSSD-34.
Pre-positioning is not a new concept to the Corps -- it started in the early 1980s to improve the response time for needed equipment and supplies to theater operations.
In 1979, then President Carter's Secretary of Defense approved the creation of a Maritime Prepositioning Ship Program supporting the Marine Corps in the Department of Defense Navy Program.
The first equipment-laden ships headed to Diego Garcia. A staff maintained the ships in a high state of readiness so that they could deploy within 24 hours to possible contingency locations that include the Middle East and unite with the awaiting forces.
There are currently 16 ships, but the Military Sealift Command plans on adding more ships to each squadron.
"The MPF concept was proven during Desert Storm and revalidated in Operation Iraqi Freedom," said Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, Commander, Marine Forces Pacific. "The MPF demonstrates our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and compliments the realignment of other U.S. forces on the (Korean) peninsula."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...F?opendocument
Sempers,
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