thedrifter
11-20-08, 05:15 AM
MarForEur strategic mobility office lends coalition nations a logistical helping hand
11/18/2008 By Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis , Marine Forces Europe
SIAULIAI, Lithuania — After the terrorist attacks of Sept.11 and the subsequent start of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the United States has looked to our partners and allies to form a coalition of nations dedicated to fighting those who would seek to do us harm in our homelands.
Seven years later, as many of the coalition members still stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of ongoing operations in Afghanistan and around the world, Marine Corps Forces Europe (MarForEur) continues to provide the European coalition members with the logistical training and support it needs to deploy into combat.
The Marines of MarForEur’s strategic mobility office provide this support by traveling throughout the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) to work hand-in-hand with partner-nation militaries to provide deployment support.
“Depending on the nation’s level of experience and training, we work in a variety of roles to meet the logistical needs of the host nation,” said Eric Gustafson, MarForEur strategic mobility officer and St. Paul, Minn. native. “We assess their needs and adapt to provide the level of assistance they require.”
Gustafson said that these mobility operations begin when coalition countries request airlift support through NATO, who in turn tasks EUCOM to provide aviation assets and logistical support.
“In most of these countries, past movements have been executed by rail,” said Sgt. Zachary Augustine, MarForEur strategic mobility chief and Shelby, Neb. native. “So, the level of familiarity with embark can vary greatly.”
Augustine said sometimes they might have to train a host nation military on everything from cargo and vehicle preparations, to weight distribution and load plans. Other times, he added, all that’s needed is a certifying inspection and an extra hand getting the gear onto the aircraft.
“Working closely with these coalition countries really gives you a different aspect of leadership and training,” Augustine said. “You really have to know your job if you are going to try to train people who might not speak your language.”
On a recent coalition movement support mission, members of the MarForEur strategic mobility office traveled here to assist the Lithuanian Army as they deployed a company level contingent of coalition forces from several countries in support of OEF.
On this mission, the MarForEur strategic mobility office helped the Lithuanians with the weighing and center-balance of several vehicles, the inspection and certification of palletized cargo, and assisted them as they worked with chartered military and civilian aircraft to execute their deployment.
With a developing embark and deployment process in place, the Lithuanians showed a strong understanding of the foundations of air movement.
“I was impressed with the basic process they have in place,” Gustafson said. “They have the necessary skills sets, so we were able to provide them with the guidance and experience they need to refine their process even further.”
Gustafson said it’s more of a mentorship process than anything, adding that the Marines’ focus is on teaching host nations to develop their own process, using established and safe business rules.
“More than just training and professional things, these missions give us a good chance to build friendships,” Augustine said. “We work hard to accomplish the mission, but for instance, on this trip we had the opportunity to play basketball with Lithuanian soldiers and civilians, and that kind of thing really strengthens our ties within these partner nations.”
Overall, while the strategic mobility piece may be only a small part of MarForEur’s overall mission, Gustafson said it is integral part of larger Marine Corps and EUCOM initiatives to promote peace and security throughout the AOR.
“This is what theater security cooperation is all about,” Gustafson said. “When we are able to establish these kinds of personal and professional relationships, we are reinforcing the idea that we are partners, working together for a common cause.”
“We work together in NATO and the main reason we are working together is to support the coalition troops in Afghanistan,” said Lithuanian Air Force Capt. Rimantas Ivanovas, Terminal Operations Squadron chief. “By working together and sharing experience, both of our countries can learn valuable lessons, and we will be able to support each other better.”
The recent trip to Lithuania marks the 23 coalition movement support mission handled by the MarForEur strategic mobility office this year. Visiting more than 11 coalition countries throughout the European continent, these Marines know the work they are doing is having a direct impact down range.
“Every coalition move we do sends more troops to the fight,” Augustine said. “This is a force multiplier that moves us closer to victory in the Global War on Terror.”
Ellie
11/18/2008 By Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis , Marine Forces Europe
SIAULIAI, Lithuania — After the terrorist attacks of Sept.11 and the subsequent start of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the United States has looked to our partners and allies to form a coalition of nations dedicated to fighting those who would seek to do us harm in our homelands.
Seven years later, as many of the coalition members still stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of ongoing operations in Afghanistan and around the world, Marine Corps Forces Europe (MarForEur) continues to provide the European coalition members with the logistical training and support it needs to deploy into combat.
The Marines of MarForEur’s strategic mobility office provide this support by traveling throughout the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) to work hand-in-hand with partner-nation militaries to provide deployment support.
“Depending on the nation’s level of experience and training, we work in a variety of roles to meet the logistical needs of the host nation,” said Eric Gustafson, MarForEur strategic mobility officer and St. Paul, Minn. native. “We assess their needs and adapt to provide the level of assistance they require.”
Gustafson said that these mobility operations begin when coalition countries request airlift support through NATO, who in turn tasks EUCOM to provide aviation assets and logistical support.
“In most of these countries, past movements have been executed by rail,” said Sgt. Zachary Augustine, MarForEur strategic mobility chief and Shelby, Neb. native. “So, the level of familiarity with embark can vary greatly.”
Augustine said sometimes they might have to train a host nation military on everything from cargo and vehicle preparations, to weight distribution and load plans. Other times, he added, all that’s needed is a certifying inspection and an extra hand getting the gear onto the aircraft.
“Working closely with these coalition countries really gives you a different aspect of leadership and training,” Augustine said. “You really have to know your job if you are going to try to train people who might not speak your language.”
On a recent coalition movement support mission, members of the MarForEur strategic mobility office traveled here to assist the Lithuanian Army as they deployed a company level contingent of coalition forces from several countries in support of OEF.
On this mission, the MarForEur strategic mobility office helped the Lithuanians with the weighing and center-balance of several vehicles, the inspection and certification of palletized cargo, and assisted them as they worked with chartered military and civilian aircraft to execute their deployment.
With a developing embark and deployment process in place, the Lithuanians showed a strong understanding of the foundations of air movement.
“I was impressed with the basic process they have in place,” Gustafson said. “They have the necessary skills sets, so we were able to provide them with the guidance and experience they need to refine their process even further.”
Gustafson said it’s more of a mentorship process than anything, adding that the Marines’ focus is on teaching host nations to develop their own process, using established and safe business rules.
“More than just training and professional things, these missions give us a good chance to build friendships,” Augustine said. “We work hard to accomplish the mission, but for instance, on this trip we had the opportunity to play basketball with Lithuanian soldiers and civilians, and that kind of thing really strengthens our ties within these partner nations.”
Overall, while the strategic mobility piece may be only a small part of MarForEur’s overall mission, Gustafson said it is integral part of larger Marine Corps and EUCOM initiatives to promote peace and security throughout the AOR.
“This is what theater security cooperation is all about,” Gustafson said. “When we are able to establish these kinds of personal and professional relationships, we are reinforcing the idea that we are partners, working together for a common cause.”
“We work together in NATO and the main reason we are working together is to support the coalition troops in Afghanistan,” said Lithuanian Air Force Capt. Rimantas Ivanovas, Terminal Operations Squadron chief. “By working together and sharing experience, both of our countries can learn valuable lessons, and we will be able to support each other better.”
The recent trip to Lithuania marks the 23 coalition movement support mission handled by the MarForEur strategic mobility office this year. Visiting more than 11 coalition countries throughout the European continent, these Marines know the work they are doing is having a direct impact down range.
“Every coalition move we do sends more troops to the fight,” Augustine said. “This is a force multiplier that moves us closer to victory in the Global War on Terror.”
Ellie