Photo Information

Pfc. David Burger, a radio operator with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, writes down coordinates during a command post exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 6, 2015. Marines with CLR-2, 2nd MLG, train to provide direct support of all Marine Air-Ground Task Force missions and coordinate surge tactical logistics as required by its concept of operations. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

CLR-2 Marines prepare to support MAGTF with CPX

8 Mar 2015 | Cpl. Krista James 2nd Marine Logistics Group

A Marine Air-Ground Task Force, or MAGTF, is a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces. The MAGTF is structured to accomplish specific missions across the world and provide the United States with a variety of crisis response options when the need arises.

Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, train to provide direct support of all MAGTF missions and coordinate surge tactical logistics as required by its concept of operations.

CLR-2 Marines conducted a command post exercise March 5-8, in order to prepare for Exercise African Lion 2015, in which they will be the command and control portion of the MAGTF for the exercise being held this spring.

“Exercise African Lion is a maritime prepositioning force operation,” said Maj. Sean Walsh, the CLR-2 operations officer, and St. Louis, Missouri native. “For the first part we’re going to be the arrival assembly operations group, so we have to set up our combat operations center in order to do that initial command and control for the MAGTF. When the exercise starts we’ll transition and become a part of the logistics combat element, so the command post exercise prepares us to know not only what we need before we head out there, but it helps us to practice all of the things we need to do when we get out there.”

The command post exercise was implemented to ensure that when participating in Exercise African Lion 15, the Marines of CLR-2 maintain readiness to accomplish their mission with minor setbacks along the way.

Cpl. Christopher Guimond, a radio chief with CLR-2, and Raleigh, N.C. native, expressed that there have been many exercises leading up to this point, each one with the Marines performing more proficiently than the last.

“You can see the improvement as we come along from the first one when it would take us all week to get communications up and now with this one where we were able to get set up in about three hours. It helps us not only work on our jobs and better ourselves, but also check our gear and do all of the troubleshooting now so we’re not just going over there and having a lot of difficulty,” Guimond said.

Both Guimond and Walsh agreed that the command post exercise has helped with unit cohesion amongst CLR-2 while also increasing proficiency.

“You get a chance to not only work with your section, but you get out here and you can kind of see everyone and work hand-in-hand, because if one part goes down, we all fail. With everyone out here doing their part and working together, we build each other up,” Guimond said.

“Everyone gets to see each other’s job and we get to work together as a team, come together and build something almost from scratch.” Walsh said. “We’re getting to the point now that tents are up and everything is wired in within a matter of hours. The Marines have really been able to see how far they have progressed. It really builds camaraderie and team work.”

Walsh expressed that this sense of accomplishment and team work will help the Marines when they begin their work for Exercise African Lion.

Exercise African Lion 15 is the largest exercise with U.S. participation on the continent of Africa and is conducted in accordance with U.N. mandated peace operations. It is designed to strengthen cooperation and operational proficiency between the nations for future crisis and contingency response in the region.