3rd Marine Logistics Group keeps cool in volcanic scenario

3rd Marine Logistics Group keeps cool in volcanic scenario
Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

CAMP KINSER, Okinawa (February 6, 2009) -- The 3rd Marine Logistics Group engaged in a command post exercise here from Jan. 26-30.

The scenario for the exercise involved a humanitarian assistance mission to the Republic of the Philippines.

In the scenario, a volcano erupted followed by two earthquakes which caused deaths, injuries and mass displacement of civilians in the Philippines.

The MLG staff was able to forward deploy with the main purpose of saving lives and alleviating human suffering.

From a high-tech field environment, MLG personnel assisted displaced personnel, coordinated and provided relief supplies, health service support, water production, route clearance, general engineering support and anything else the Filipino government requested, said Maj. Carlos O. Rowe, the current operations officer for 3rd MLG.

"The exercise training goals were to get everyone out and get them comfortable in a forward and field environment," said Rowe. The Marines also became familiar with the equipment that would be used in real operations, he said.

More than 150 Marines took part in the exercise from multiple units in the 3rd MLG, including Combat Logistics Regiment 35, CLR-37, and the 3rd MLG commanding general's staff.

This exercise is the second part of a series planned for this fiscal year with the intent of ensuring 3rd MLG has the ability to command and control forces under a variety of circumstances, including combat and humanitarian assistance operations, said Col. Jay L. Hatton, the operations officer for 3rd MLG.

In recent years, Bangladesh and other Pacific nations have been the sites where elements of the III Marine Expeditionary Force have been called upon for humanitarian assistance.

"Everyone in this AOR (Marine Forces Pacific Area of Responsibility) knows that it's simply a matter of time that we as III MEF respond to one of these kinds of events," said Hatton. "If called upon tomorrow, we can do what we are expected to do as a MLG headquarters."

Ellie