WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan -- More than 275 Marines and sailors embarked on USS Tortuga here, April 28. They make up the Landing Force participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2010, which is a bilateral exercise with Southeast Asian countries.
The LF is scheduled to be deployed to the region for almost four months as part of CARAT-2010 and will visit and train with their counterparts in several of the countries there.
“As Marines we stand ready to maintain our obligation to arrive on scene on short notice anywhere in the world via amphibious ships for any type of contingency,” said 1st Sgt. Walter Siquieros, Landing Force sergeant major, LF CARAT-2010.
For almost a month and a half, the LF has been training in the Okinawan jungle, building standard operating procedures in the field in preparation for this deployment.
“I personally feel great about getting on ship,” said Sgt. Folleh Tamba, first squad leader, 3rd Platoon, Company A, LF CARAT-2010, and native of Chicago. “It was difficult to build a cohesiveness as a unit, but we did. And as we train with these different countries we will build on what we learned here, because the jungle is their [foreign servicemembers] home and they will be able to teach us things they have been doing for centuries.”
Exercises with each country are scheduled to include jungle warfare training, urban warfare training and amphibious assault operations. The mission of the deployment is to strengthen the relationships with each host country the LF will visit.
For many Marines in the LF, this is the first time aboard ship during a deployment and is an opportunity to experience the amphibious roots of the Corps.
“The Marine Corps has really shifted in the past 10 years,” said Cpl. Jacob Bolton, assistant patrol leader, 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company A, LF CARAT-2010, and native of Milwaukee, Wis. “We have gone from sand box to sand box but I think we are starting to get back to our amphibious roots and I’m excited to be on the fast track to that.”
This deployment is also a chance for the Marines participating to explore countries they might not have been able to otherwise.
“There’s so much out there that most Americans may never see,” Bolton said. “I mean you can look at a picture of an African farmer living in sticks but when you actually see it, is when it means something. You can read an article and look at pictures but it doesn’t compare to actually doing it.”
While in country, the Marines of the LF will have the chance to build personal relationships with the host nations’ service members, allowing the LF to better understand each host country it is scheduled to visit.
“It’s easier to understand where a people come from if you understand their culture,” Tamba said. “I’m excited just to talk to these guys, talk to them about how they do what they do. Putting a good foot forward as an American, how I act when in country is how they will view Americans and the Marine Corps – I just want to be professional.”
With the boarding process finished, the LF has started its deployment.
“I feel grateful to everyone involved for all their contributions in making this exercise possible,” Siquieros said. “Months of preparation and effort from lots of folks have culminated in a well-trained and organized Landing Force, brought together from active and reservist components from 33 different sites. We have crossed the line of departure and we are now in the execution phase of LF CARAT-10. The Marines and sailors of the Landing Force are ready for the mission at hand. Building partnerships and working together with other militaries will help strengthen relations with partner nations, allow the Marines access to additional resources and gain a new perspective on different environments.”