thedrifter
02-05-09, 06:35 AM
A U.S. Embassy evacuation dress rehearsal
2/4/2009 By Sgt. Michael T. Knight , Headquarters and Service Battalion
KUWAIT —The U.S. Embassy, Kuwait, recently conducted an extensive evacuation drill. It was part of a 13-day event called the Joint Combined Security Exercise that ended Jan 21.
Kuwaiti Security forces, U.S. Army Central Command, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Services, U.S. Navy, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and a Marine Corps Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team all played key roles in JCSE.
The evacuation portion of the event included all the necessary elements needed to make a mass departure successful in a time of crisis. Marines provided security, embassy employees authenticated passports, and the Navy's Assault Craft Unit 4 supplied transportation.
"This was the first time I've been able to experience firsthand how other branches of the military operate," said evacuee roll player Spc. Rasheed L. Booker, Supply Specialist, 13th Deployment Support Brigade.
While some events of JCSE occurred on embassy grounds, the main evacuation episode took place at an assembly area on the Kuwaiti coast.
Marine infantrymen guarded the facility perimeter, while combat support Marines screened role players posing as evacuees. Once embassy employees processed the group, they were given identification bracelets and loaded onto a Landing Craft, Air Cushion. The LCAC then took the role players several miles out to the USS Carter Hall.
"Riding on the LCAC was the most exciting part of the exercise," said evacuee role player Capt. George B. Hutchinson, G-6, U.S. Army Central Command, and Austell, Ga., native. "I only whish they would have let me drive it."
The evacuees boarded the ship, were manifested and granted a full tour. They returned to shore, once the imaginary crisis concluded.
"These kinds of joint exercises are critical for improving our ability to deal with crisis situations," said U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah K. Jones. "I am particularly pleased with and proud of the excellent cooperation and team-building that occurred between our Kuwaiti partners, our U.S. military units, and the Embassy's Regional Security Office."
Ellie
2/4/2009 By Sgt. Michael T. Knight , Headquarters and Service Battalion
KUWAIT —The U.S. Embassy, Kuwait, recently conducted an extensive evacuation drill. It was part of a 13-day event called the Joint Combined Security Exercise that ended Jan 21.
Kuwaiti Security forces, U.S. Army Central Command, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Services, U.S. Navy, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and a Marine Corps Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team all played key roles in JCSE.
The evacuation portion of the event included all the necessary elements needed to make a mass departure successful in a time of crisis. Marines provided security, embassy employees authenticated passports, and the Navy's Assault Craft Unit 4 supplied transportation.
"This was the first time I've been able to experience firsthand how other branches of the military operate," said evacuee roll player Spc. Rasheed L. Booker, Supply Specialist, 13th Deployment Support Brigade.
While some events of JCSE occurred on embassy grounds, the main evacuation episode took place at an assembly area on the Kuwaiti coast.
Marine infantrymen guarded the facility perimeter, while combat support Marines screened role players posing as evacuees. Once embassy employees processed the group, they were given identification bracelets and loaded onto a Landing Craft, Air Cushion. The LCAC then took the role players several miles out to the USS Carter Hall.
"Riding on the LCAC was the most exciting part of the exercise," said evacuee role player Capt. George B. Hutchinson, G-6, U.S. Army Central Command, and Austell, Ga., native. "I only whish they would have let me drive it."
The evacuees boarded the ship, were manifested and granted a full tour. They returned to shore, once the imaginary crisis concluded.
"These kinds of joint exercises are critical for improving our ability to deal with crisis situations," said U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah K. Jones. "I am particularly pleased with and proud of the excellent cooperation and team-building that occurred between our Kuwaiti partners, our U.S. military units, and the Embassy's Regional Security Office."
Ellie