MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- A detachment of Marines and Sailors from Combat Service Support Group 3 are preparing for another deployment - this time to Freedom Banner, destination: Republic of Korea.
Combat Service Support Detachment 77 is the first detachment from the Group to directly support infantry units during this evolution.
"With CSSG-3 being the lead unit of support this year, we are proving that we are capable of supporting a regiment in Korea, instead of relying on Okinawa," said 1st Sgt. Carlos A. Perez, the detachment's first sergeant. "This is kind of like a test for the Hawaii Marines."
There are approximately 240 Marines deploying to Korea for the six-week training evolution, and they will take part in a variety of training. Marines will have the opportunity to see how Maritime Prepositional Force shipping works, as well as take part in mountain warfare training, live-fire ranges and urban assault training.
The Group is being tested on all aspects of its training, while supporting the regiment and itself in a totally different environment. This time of year, the weather in Korea is extremely cold, which differs greatly from the Group's other training that has taken place in the warmer climates of Australia and the Kingdom of Thailand.
"We have been really successful with our past deployments, but there is always room for improvement," said Perez. "The Marines will experience some heartaches being out here in the weather, but it's nothing that they can't handle and overcome. I think they'll perform the same as in the past because it's in their blood, and they're very motivated to work."
The Marines of CSSD-77 will be responsible for offloading and transporting to the regiment heavy equipment, including High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, tanks and generators. They will also be responsible for maintaining the basic necessities of water, electricity, food, engineering and transport services.
"The Marines have to be able to support the regiment, while maintaining care for themselves as well," Perez said. "It's so important that they can do that and defend themselves in a combat situation."
According to Perez, it is important for the Group to continue training exercises like this, which readies Marines and Sailors for those issues facing the world today.
"With Operation Iraqi Freedom, it really motivates the Marines to get out there and be active. They feel like they're doing their part now and remaining prepared for whatever may come in the future," said Perez.
"This is the first time the CSSD-77 Marines get to do an offload. We hope that in the future we can continue to rotate and perform other operations like this to further train the Marines.