CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Aug. 25, 2006 -- Just three weeks before they deploy for six months as U.S. Central Commands theater reserve force, Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit here say theyre ready to get on with the mission despite pulls at their heartstrings over leaving home.
Marine Corps Sgt. Bobby Savicke, motor transportation mechanic, retrieves his tool cart from a storage unit to inspect vehicles in preparation for an upcoming deployment at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 23. This will be Savickes second float with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Photo by Cherie A. Thurlby '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
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The heavy lifting is over. Six months of intensive training recently wrapped up with an 11-day joint task force exercise aboard USS Boxter that earned the unit the critical special operations capable designation.
The operating tempo has been unbelievable, said Staff Sgt. Tracie Kessler, the MEUs public affairs chief. But no MEU wants to go out not being special operations capable.
Col. Brian Beaudreault, the MEU commander, said the units operations tempo has been as high as its ever been, but has paid off in a big way. Were prepared to execute any mission were assigned as the theater reserve, he said. Were ready for everything from sustained combat operations ashore to humanitarian relief operations and everything in between.
Unlike the MEUs last deployment, when its members knew they were headed to Iraq, this time thats not a given unless CENTCOM requests the support. As far as I know, thats not going to happen this time, said Staff Sgt. Dwayne Benjamin. But then, that could all change any time.
With its pre-deployment training wrapped up, the pace at the MEUs command headquarters has come to a near halt -- the proverbial calm before the storm.
A sign at the top of a stairwell marks the days until the deployment -- E-21 yesterday for Embarkation minus 21. When the sign reads E-0, 2,300 Marines will leave here aboard three ships: USS Comstock, USS Dubuque and USS Boxter. The contingency will include the battalions combat landing team, its logistics battalion and air combat element.
But for now, theres a sense of quiet here, with most of the Marines on block leave and a skeletal staff wrapping up last-minute details.
Were now in a decentralized mode of operation. Each section knows what has to be done. Its a matter of setting those Marines loose to get it done, Beaudreault said. Right now, the emphasis is on maintenance of equipment and quality time for families.
Staff Sgt. Dwayne Benjamin, the units purchasing chief, is processing last-minute orders to ensure the Marines have all the gear they need while theyre away. Cpl. Juan Juarez, an administrative clerk, is double-checking travel vouchers to make sure theyve all been settled and unit members paid. Chief Warrant Officer Mike Chaney, working as a action officer in the MEUs operations section, is planning the training the unit will conduct during its deployment, as it awaits a call for a real-world mission.
Maintainers were turning wrenches, checking times and ensuring the MEUs aircraft and vehicles are ready to go. Sgt. Bobby Savicke, a motor transportation mechanic, was checking transmission fluids and making sure nothing goes out the door broken. The unit supply administration chief, Cpl. David Choe, was rechecking boxes of desert camouflage uniforms and other supplies to make sure nothing was inadvertently left behind. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class John Jucutan, a corpsman preparing for his eighth deployment with the Marines, was packing medical equipment in new medical bags the MEU recently received.
Meanwhile, other Marines from the MEU were on Camp Pendletons Red Beach testing a new tactical water purification system to make sure it will operate properly during the deployment.
Most of the Marines are veterans of multiple deployments and said the operational preparations tend to go smoother each time. For me, it gets easier, said Benjamin, about to leave for his fourth float and his third with the 15th MEU. It doesnt seem as stressful as the first time around. Everything starts to become second nature, especially if you work with the same people.
This deployment is a lot easier than the last one, Chaney agreed. We knew what to expect in the work-up cycle. Its still painful, but its not new.
Juarez said hes applying lessons learned from his last deployment this go-around. Last time, I learned so many things that Im using to mold this deployment to help myself, my shop and my fellow Marines, he said. Those lessons range from better ways to pack a backpack to knowing what equipment and supplies need to go and what ones will simply take up space on the ship.
As important as these last-minute details will be to success during the deployment, Beaudreault said, an equally important priority right now is ensuring the Marines get their personal affairs in order and, most importantly, spend time with their families.
Cpl. James Johnson, the MEUs postal clerk, is giving up his apartment while hes gone and moving everything hes not taking with him into storage. Hes already assigned power of attorney to a buddy who will watch over his car.
Staff Sgt. Danny Sava, the unit data chief, is drawing up a list of details and contact information for his wife, Julia. The family bill payer, Sava set up a lot of automatic online payments and is making sure Julia knows where to find his will, power of attorney, Social Security card and other important documents.
Were trying our best to get everything together and get squared away, Julia said.
After four deployments with the MEU, Sava has control of the tangible preparations but admits the emotional ones are a bit tougher. He missed the birth of his daughter, Alyssa, now 18 months old, during his last deployment, and this time hell miss her second birthday as well as his son Anthonys 11th birthday and Christmas.
Well celebrate it late, Julia said, quickly filling the silence left after her husband acknowledged the lost landmarks.
Chaney is busy preparing for them as well, writing letters and wrapping birthday and Christmas gifts that hell leave behind for his 3- and 6-year-old children for his wife to present on the appropriate days. Im trying to do that now, so everything is pre-staged and I know it will be there, instead of worrying about getting them here in the mail, he said.
In addition to making sure household expenses are in order, Juarez said hes devoting every spare moment possible to his wife of two years. Were spending a lot of time just talking to each other, he said.
After his last deployment, Juarez said, the two already know whats ahead, but hes not sure thats going to make it any easier. We already know what to expect of each other, but I think this one is going to be a little more difficult, he said. I think were going to feel the sense of separation more this time.
Benjamin is busy getting his personal affairs in order and making sure his wife and three children, ages 13, 12 and 6, are ready for his departure. He plans to take a week of leave at home, relaxing with the family and enjoying his favorite foods, especially a good steak.
Deployments are never easy on families, Benjamin said, but experience has shown him that his family can make it on their own while hes away. Weve done this before, he said with a shrug. When you do this over and over, things tend to get -- not easier, but simpler.
When embarkation day comes, Benjamin said he knows hell be ready to go. You have a job to do, he said. My head is always in the game.
Juarez, too, said that although he hates to leave his wife behind, hes ready for the deployment. I dont stress out about it. I know I have to deploy, so I dont worry. I just stay focused on my job, he said. Its going to be a good deployment. Im looking forward to it.
Johnson, a single Marine, doesnt share his comrades conflicts about the upcoming deployment and said hes more than ready to go. I love it. Im excited, he said. Its where I want to be.
At this point, its almost, Lets go, Chaney agreed. You do all this training, so you just want to get out there and get the deployment going. Were Marines, and were just ready to go.
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