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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - More than 190 Marines
and Sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force embarked as Special
Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force ASEAN to showcase the MAGTF's
territorial defense, humanitarian aid and disaster relief
capabilities in support of U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel,
during his visit alongside delegates from the Association of
Southeast Asian Countries in Hawaii, April 2, 2014.
Approximately 130 Marines and sailors with Headquarters Company, 7th
Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Dental
Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 and 1st Maintenance
Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, set up a static display
exhibit aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23)
and answered questions from ASEAN delegates and media personnel.
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Lieutenant Col. Mark T. Donar,
commanding officer, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Association of South East Asian Nations, briefs international media
personnel on the MAGTF's humanitarian aid and disaster relief
capabilities during a static display aboard amphibious transport
dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) in support of the ASEAN conference
held by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in Hawaii, April 2,
2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance
Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez)
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“We showed the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team
in a physical manner,” said Lt. Col. Mark T. Donar,
commanding officer, SPMAGTF-ASEAN. “We were able to showcase
our equipment and the Navy's ability to bring our equipment
to the forefront.”
Among the resources showcased were
soil sampling and construction equipment, a lightweight
water purification system, field expedient medical
capabilities and different transportation vehicles that
could be used as emergency vehicles or to transport
supplies.
As subject matter
experts with firsthand experience on their equipment, the
Marines and sailors were able to increase the international
public's understanding of what the Navy-Marine corps team
can do during disaster situations, and built rapport with
foreign officials and militaries.
“There were
delegates from 10 Southeast Asian nations who attended, and
the Marines were able to interact with them,” said Donar, of
Westmont, Ill. “Oftentimes, we don't get the ability to tell
our story, and here, we had the younger Marines explain our
capabilities and share their experiences to generals,
admirals and the Secretary of Defense. It was an incredible
opportunity for the Marines.”
Historically, Southeast
Asia has been a region susceptible to extreme weather
conditions. The most recent natural disaster was that of
Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Nov. 3-11, 2013. During
the incident, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force mobilized
out of Japan and assisted in disaster relief, treating
casualties and stabilizing the area.
“We don't treat
only patients with battlefield injuries,” said Petty Officer
2nd Class Catherine S. Nutting, a corpsman and surgical
technician with 1st Medical Bn., attached to SPMAGTF-ASEAN.
“If an area is hit by a typhoon or an earthquake and people
get injured or sick, we can provide them with minor surgical
treatments, X-ray services, pharmacies and laboratories.”
Nutting was one of the servicemembers who directly
interacted with the media and delegates, showing them the
capabilities of the shock trauma platoon during a
humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation.
“The
minister of defense of Malaysia talked to me and was very
interested in our field medical capabilities,” said Nutting,
of North Conway, N.H. “I know all the Marines and sailors
felt very comfortable speaking in public, and it felt like
we were able to help them further understand what we can
bring to the table.”
Another Marine who had the
chance to explain his job was Cpl. Michael Sanchez, a combat
engineer with Bravo Company, 7th ESB. Sanchez has experience
in using the construction equipment, which he showcased
during the exhibit to build shelters, medical facilities and
schools during a humanitarian relief operation.
“[U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel] is one of the top
men in the country, alongside different generals and
officials from around the world,” said Sanchez, of Los
Angeles. “They were all here at our level, looking to see
what we can do for them. It was a really awesome experience
for all of us involved.”
In addition to 1st MLG, more
combat-oriented units such as Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Training Squadron 303, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and 1st
Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division,
also set up displays for their equipment, showing the
MAGTF's territorial defense capabilities and emphasizing its
ability to provide security for humanitarian aid and
disaster relief operations in a hostile environment.
After the static display and a tour of Anchorage, Hagel led
the delegates and media to a conference on the ship's
deck,where Marine Corps and Navy officials touched on the
importance of the Navy-Marine team and its role as a quick
response force in Southeast Asia.
After the
conference ended, two MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium
Tiltrotor Squadron 161, attached to SPMAGTF-ASEAN, conducted
a multi-stage fly-by, further highlighting the Navy-Marine
Corps team's capability to rapidly respond to situations and
bring supplies and aid wherever needed.
SPMAGTF-ASEAN
maintained its static displays from April 1-4, 2014,
allowing public access to the equipment. It departed from
Hawaii aboard Anchorage to conduct further training at sea
on April 7, 2014.
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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