MARINE CORPS AIR-GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- After putting thousands of rounds down range, moving countless pounds of cargo, supporting several units and conducting more than 60 days of pre-deployment training, the Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 3 are ready for Afghanistan.
In early June, approximately 700 service members with CLB-3 arrived at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii’s Big Island to begin their pre-deployment training. A large part of CLB-3’s three-week training evolution at PTA involved integrating their Hawaii-based members with about 400 Marines and sailors augmented from Marine Corps bases throughout Japan. In order to accommodate for the size of their future area of operation while in Afghanistan, CLB-3 was reinforced with the additional personnel.
Immediately after completing their training at PTA, CLB-3 headed directly to the Combat Center in order to participate in the Enhanced Mojave Viper training and to complete pre-deployment training blocks three and four. While at the Combat Center, CLB-3’s training included combat logistic patrols, expeditionary logistics exercises, weapons handling and employment, language and cultural classes, construction and operation of a forward operating base, and improvised explosive device detection and awareness. In addition to their training, the battalion also provided logistical support to various units participating in EMV.
During EMV, and at PTA in June, CLB-3 personnel of all ranks and levels of experience learned a lot while conducting the training, said Lt. Col. Henry W. Lutz III, commanding officer, CLB-3.
“The battalion has performed well over the past eight weeks,” Lutz said. “At both PTA and EMV, this battalion has refined the combat logistics skills that we’ll need while deployed. [Members of CLB-3] now realize how their individual actions and knowledge of their jobs directly tie into the unit’s combat mission.”
One of the notable accomplishments from CLB-3’s training was the successful integration of their Hawaii and Okinawa-based personnel, said Maj. Marvin L. Norcross, executive officer, CLB-3. After their training, CLB-3 personnel should walk away with the confidence that they are prepared to go to combat.
“[This training] has increased our technical and tactical proficiency both at the individual and unitlevels,” Norcross said.
“We are leaving [The Combat Center] a better, more cohesive, unit. The commanding officer, sergeant major and I are proud of what [the battalion] has collectively accomplished both at PTA and Twentynine Palms,” he said.
While deployed, CLB-3 will fall under 1st Marine Logistics Group (fwd) providing direct logistical support to a regimental combat team.
The battalion will also have approximately 200 Marines and sailors remain at MCB Hawaii during the course of the deployment in order to continue providing logistical support to 3rd Marine Regiment.
Following the completion of EMV, CLB-3’s Marines and sailors are scheduled to get some well-deserved rest in the form of annual leave.
CLB–3 is slated to deploy to Afghanistan this fall in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.