thedrifter
07-04-04, 06:08 AM
Quick Response Force exercises their abilities
Submitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Story Identification #: 20047314958
Story by Sgt. Wayne Campbell
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (June 29, 2004) -- A platoon of Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment reacted to a simulated hostile breech at the U.S. Embassy here Tuesday morning.
“The Marine detachment from Camp Lemonier serves as the QRF [quick response force] for the U.S. Embassy,” said Bryan Boyd, Naval Criminal Investigation Service and Force Protection Officer for the Embassy. “They try to come out here as often as they can to train and learn how to work with the local [Djiboutian] guard.”
According to Boyd, the scenario began with a breech into the embassy by unknown combatants.
“The Marines had to find a way into the compound without using the front gates, secure the area and meet up with the guards,” explained Boyd. “We had two role players acting as the combatants as well as burning trash cans simulating explosions throughout the compound.”
First Lt. Tim Hackler Jr., 3rd platoon commander India Company explained that the platoon negotiated obstacles and climbed over walls to accomplish the mission.
Boyd explained that as the QRF, the Marine detachment is responsible for securing and holding the compound for approximately 72 hours until a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team arrives and further secures the area.
Sgt. Marshall Cleveland, squad leader, 3rd platoon, India Company, along with his squad of Marines, was given the duty of providing security for the Ambassador’s house as well as providing special augmentation to other squads on the compound.
“The squad did very well,” said Cleveland. “They listened to the leaders when the scenario changed as we got here.”
The platoon was expecting to clear some buildings while securing the compound, but when they arrived the buildings were destroyed by explosives.
According to Capt. Frank Diorio, commanding officer, India Company, the team had one hour notice of the situation.
“The Marines did very well getting into the compound without assistance and securing key areas of the embassy,” said Boyd.
“The Marines were able to adapt,” said Diorio. “They were impressive.”
According to Lance Cpl. Luis Maxwell, an India Company infantryman, most of the unit is straight out of the School of Infantry.
“It was a good exercise for the Marines to be out here and learn the basics,” said Maxwell. “They get classes on how to do all of this and now they get to come out here and see the big picture.”
Maxwell explained that the scenario changed once they arrived on scene, so the leadership had to adjust to the changes.
“They [the Marines] performed really well,” said Hackler. “There were some lessons learned. We had good coordination with the State Department, which helped everything go smoothly.”
“We stayed flexible,” Maxwell said. “It is good to train – and we train like we fight.”
[/img]http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20047315254/$file/LCpl.%20Turcotte_lowres.jpg[/img]
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti -- Detroit native Lance Cpl. Alfred J. Turcotte of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment stands watch at the American Embassy here during a quick reaction force exercise. The quick reaction force, coming from Camp Lemonier, serves as a response force in the event of an embassy attack. (Official photo by Sgt. Jerad W. Alexander) Photo by: Sgt. Jerad W. Alexander
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/ACA1C2E092CCDEAD85256EC600200A86?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Story Identification #: 20047314958
Story by Sgt. Wayne Campbell
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (June 29, 2004) -- A platoon of Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment reacted to a simulated hostile breech at the U.S. Embassy here Tuesday morning.
“The Marine detachment from Camp Lemonier serves as the QRF [quick response force] for the U.S. Embassy,” said Bryan Boyd, Naval Criminal Investigation Service and Force Protection Officer for the Embassy. “They try to come out here as often as they can to train and learn how to work with the local [Djiboutian] guard.”
According to Boyd, the scenario began with a breech into the embassy by unknown combatants.
“The Marines had to find a way into the compound without using the front gates, secure the area and meet up with the guards,” explained Boyd. “We had two role players acting as the combatants as well as burning trash cans simulating explosions throughout the compound.”
First Lt. Tim Hackler Jr., 3rd platoon commander India Company explained that the platoon negotiated obstacles and climbed over walls to accomplish the mission.
Boyd explained that as the QRF, the Marine detachment is responsible for securing and holding the compound for approximately 72 hours until a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team arrives and further secures the area.
Sgt. Marshall Cleveland, squad leader, 3rd platoon, India Company, along with his squad of Marines, was given the duty of providing security for the Ambassador’s house as well as providing special augmentation to other squads on the compound.
“The squad did very well,” said Cleveland. “They listened to the leaders when the scenario changed as we got here.”
The platoon was expecting to clear some buildings while securing the compound, but when they arrived the buildings were destroyed by explosives.
According to Capt. Frank Diorio, commanding officer, India Company, the team had one hour notice of the situation.
“The Marines did very well getting into the compound without assistance and securing key areas of the embassy,” said Boyd.
“The Marines were able to adapt,” said Diorio. “They were impressive.”
According to Lance Cpl. Luis Maxwell, an India Company infantryman, most of the unit is straight out of the School of Infantry.
“It was a good exercise for the Marines to be out here and learn the basics,” said Maxwell. “They get classes on how to do all of this and now they get to come out here and see the big picture.”
Maxwell explained that the scenario changed once they arrived on scene, so the leadership had to adjust to the changes.
“They [the Marines] performed really well,” said Hackler. “There were some lessons learned. We had good coordination with the State Department, which helped everything go smoothly.”
“We stayed flexible,” Maxwell said. “It is good to train – and we train like we fight.”
[/img]http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20047315254/$file/LCpl.%20Turcotte_lowres.jpg[/img]
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti -- Detroit native Lance Cpl. Alfred J. Turcotte of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment stands watch at the American Embassy here during a quick reaction force exercise. The quick reaction force, coming from Camp Lemonier, serves as a response force in the event of an embassy attack. (Official photo by Sgt. Jerad W. Alexander) Photo by: Sgt. Jerad W. Alexander
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/ACA1C2E092CCDEAD85256EC600200A86?opendocument
Ellie