LIBREVILLE, Gabon --
Four MV-22 Ospreys, two KC-130J Hercules tankers, more than
150,000 pounds of gear and almost 200 U.S. Marines and sailors have effectively
relocated half of a continent away from their base in Moròn, Spain, effectively
enabling the force to reach an estimated 400 additional miles inland, June
10-15.
The Marines worked with the government of Gabon to test the
full-scale employment of the force on the continent. Their forward-staged
compound, known as a Cooperative Security Location, is complete with dining,
living, hygiene, and command and control facilities. The location also provides
the Marines with easy access to their MV-22 Osprey and KC-130J aircraft, which
are critical in providing a crisis-response capability over a geographically
dispersed area.
“For this particular CSL, we planned to support up to 200
personnel,” said 1st Lt. Micah Tate, the combat logistics detachment’s
executive officer. “From those personnel, we have around 20 logistics Marines
who are providing direct support and two platoons of infantrymen that are able
to embark on the Ospreys. That’s the point of these CSLs.”
Similar to Tate, a select group of Marines began planning
weeks in advance and will remain on site to assist all personnel while
resolving unique struggles.
“A lot of man power hours have gone into getting the tents
up, constructing the ammunition holding area, establishing all the generators,
and placing all the cabling for power,” Tate continued. “I would say that the
[logistics] Marines are absolutely the unsung heroes for exactly that.”
SPMAGTF-CR-AF resources, capabilities, and strategic
location allow it to accomplish a broad spectrum of missions ranging from
partner nation training or disaster relief and humanitarian aid, to protecting
or reinforcing an embassy at the direction of U.S. Africa Command. While in
Gabon, the U.S. Marines are scheduled to conduct training with Gabonese forces
as well as tour the U.S. embassy.
“By completing this mission and validating the necessary
requirements to operate within Africa, our Marines and Sailors have learned
what works well and what doesn't, based on our assumptions prior to deploying,”
said Col. Thomas Savage, SPMAGTF-CR-AF commanding officer. “The connections
we've made with the Gabonese military will open up more and more opportunities
to train with these important security partners, improving readiness for both
us and them.”
“Expeditionary capabilities are not new to the Marine
Corps,” added Savage. “They are, however, challenging and must continually be
refined. This training demonstrates the ability of Marines to recognize
obstacles, adapt, and overcome them, all while coordinating with our partner
nations.”