thedrifter
01-24-03, 06:24 AM
by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
Marine Corps News
January 14, 2003
CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan -- The year of 2002 presented 3rd Marine Division with significant challenges and tremendous opportunities to hone their warfighting skills.
This past year numerous infantry battalions and artillery batteries attached to the division via the Unit Deployment Program spent countless hours preparing to face the growing threats of global terrorism, while remaining vigilant in their mission to provide security in the Asia-Pacific region.
From training in the blistering sun of the Jungle Warfare Training Center here on Okinawa to operating in the freezing conditions of Korea, the warriors of 3rd Marine Division continued the fight last year.
Throughout the year, 3rd Marine Division sent its Marines to all corners of the Asia Pacific region.
"The division conducted exercises and training on Okinawa and throughout the region in the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Hawaii, Guam, etc.," said Lt. Col. Dennis T. Burke, operations officer.
"The Marines and Sailors of the division remained heavily engaged in exercises and deployments throughout the year. In all exercises and deployments, the division's Marines performed superbly, meeting or exceeding the mission requirements."
The 3rd Marine Division took part in many deployments that varied not only in location but purpose. Some of the major exercises include Korean Integrated Training Program, Balikatan and Cobra Gold.
"The Korean Integrated Training Program is an exercise that allows U.S. Marines to conduct live fire and maneuver training with Republic of Korea Marines," said the Alexandria, Va. native.
"Balikatan is held in the Republic of the Philippines and its purpose is to demonstrate U.S. resolve to support the Republic of the Philippines against external aggression. Cobra Gold, which takes place in Thailand, is meant to improve U.S./Thai combat readiness," Burke continued.
More exercises took place during the year. Deployments such as Ulchi Focus Lens, Freedom Banner ?02, Gold Eagle ?02, Valiant Mark, Tafakula, Yama Sakura and Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training sent the division to other parts of Asia for training and preparing for conflict that always looms on the horizon.
Constantly preparing for what comes down the road is essential to being a Marine. 2002 allowed 3rd Marine Division to practice this trait without deterring from one of its current missions - the war on terrorism.
"The division continues to participate in the war on terrorism, providing forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines and providing Augmentation Security Forces in support of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command," Burke said.
In the June of 2002, 3rd Marine Division went through a changing of the guard.
Maj. Gen. James R. Battaglini took over as the Director of the Expeditionary Warfare Division making way for Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Weber.
Weber came to the division from the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
With a new commanding general on deck, the division finished out the year by doing what they have always done; serve their nation with nobility and pride.
"All in all, 2002 was another year of great accomplishment for the men and women of the 3rd Marine Division the only continuously forward deployed division in the Marine Corps," said Col. Anthony L. Jackson, chief of staff.
"From participating in the global War on Terrorism to engaging our nation?s allies, they accomplished their missions with valor, fidelity, and honor, the hallmarks of this illustrious organization."
Sempers,
Roger
Marine Corps News
January 14, 2003
CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan -- The year of 2002 presented 3rd Marine Division with significant challenges and tremendous opportunities to hone their warfighting skills.
This past year numerous infantry battalions and artillery batteries attached to the division via the Unit Deployment Program spent countless hours preparing to face the growing threats of global terrorism, while remaining vigilant in their mission to provide security in the Asia-Pacific region.
From training in the blistering sun of the Jungle Warfare Training Center here on Okinawa to operating in the freezing conditions of Korea, the warriors of 3rd Marine Division continued the fight last year.
Throughout the year, 3rd Marine Division sent its Marines to all corners of the Asia Pacific region.
"The division conducted exercises and training on Okinawa and throughout the region in the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Hawaii, Guam, etc.," said Lt. Col. Dennis T. Burke, operations officer.
"The Marines and Sailors of the division remained heavily engaged in exercises and deployments throughout the year. In all exercises and deployments, the division's Marines performed superbly, meeting or exceeding the mission requirements."
The 3rd Marine Division took part in many deployments that varied not only in location but purpose. Some of the major exercises include Korean Integrated Training Program, Balikatan and Cobra Gold.
"The Korean Integrated Training Program is an exercise that allows U.S. Marines to conduct live fire and maneuver training with Republic of Korea Marines," said the Alexandria, Va. native.
"Balikatan is held in the Republic of the Philippines and its purpose is to demonstrate U.S. resolve to support the Republic of the Philippines against external aggression. Cobra Gold, which takes place in Thailand, is meant to improve U.S./Thai combat readiness," Burke continued.
More exercises took place during the year. Deployments such as Ulchi Focus Lens, Freedom Banner ?02, Gold Eagle ?02, Valiant Mark, Tafakula, Yama Sakura and Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training sent the division to other parts of Asia for training and preparing for conflict that always looms on the horizon.
Constantly preparing for what comes down the road is essential to being a Marine. 2002 allowed 3rd Marine Division to practice this trait without deterring from one of its current missions - the war on terrorism.
"The division continues to participate in the war on terrorism, providing forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines and providing Augmentation Security Forces in support of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command," Burke said.
In the June of 2002, 3rd Marine Division went through a changing of the guard.
Maj. Gen. James R. Battaglini took over as the Director of the Expeditionary Warfare Division making way for Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Weber.
Weber came to the division from the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
With a new commanding general on deck, the division finished out the year by doing what they have always done; serve their nation with nobility and pride.
"All in all, 2002 was another year of great accomplishment for the men and women of the 3rd Marine Division the only continuously forward deployed division in the Marine Corps," said Col. Anthony L. Jackson, chief of staff.
"From participating in the global War on Terrorism to engaging our nation?s allies, they accomplished their missions with valor, fidelity, and honor, the hallmarks of this illustrious organization."
Sempers,
Roger