Alaska Marine unit mobilizes for deployment

  • Published
  • By Renée Nelson
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Alaska and Hawaii take the titles of the U.S. states located farthest north and farthest south, respectively. Perhaps less well known is the fact that Alaska can claim both farthest east and farthest west as well. As explained on www.about.com, this is because the Aleutian Islands cross the 180° meridian of longitude, placing some of the islands actually in the Eastern Hemisphere and thus degrees east of Greenwich and the Prime Meridian. 

Although not the farthest north Air Force installation, Elmendorf is home to the northernmost post serving the U.S. Marine Corps; Delta Company Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division. The company is comprised of 43 Marine and Navy Reservists, as well as a small cadre of active-duty Marines who operate the Marine Corps Reserve Training Facility. However, the Battalion and its mission stretch across the globe. 

Delta Company, Anti-Terrorism Battalion was stood up Sept. 28, 2006. Previously, the unit was Echo Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, which was relocated to Joliet, Ill., as part of the Marine Forces Reserve's Force Structure Review Group initiative. 

Members of Delta Company mobilized May 19 for deployment to Iraq. They will join infantrymen of four other Anti-Terrorism Battalion sites stretching across the United States: Billings, Mont.; Lafayette, La.; Chicopee, Mass.; and Bessemer, Ala. 

"Although they are all part of the Anti-Terrorism Battalion, the Marines from the other sites will expand our capabilities during deployment," said Marine Maj. Arcelio Albizo, Delta Company commanding officer, who will lead the 150 Marines of the battalion during training and deployment. "Each gives us added specialties and expertise to employ in the field." 

As example, the major explained the technical knowledge combat engineers from Bessemer have with improvised explosive devices will provide added capability in defeating IED threats, and Chicopee infantrymen will supply highly skilled machine gunners to the team. 

"The other option was to give our folks additional training on these requirements," he said. "However, this alternative gives us expert capability within the company itself without adding to the training obligation." 

The responsibility for the administration, training, and equipment and vehicle maintenance-related issues for the members of Delta Company falls to the Inspector-Instructor staff at Marine Corps Reserve Training Facility. Comprised of about 10 active-duty Marines and one Navy hospital corpsman, the staff coordinates, facilitates and assists in executing training for the Reservists. Requirements include annual and semiannual qualifications such as firing on the rifle range, performing physical fitness assessments, operating military vehicles, and training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. 

"We inspect and instruct Reserve Marines so that when they're called to deploy they're prepared," said Marine 1st Sgt. Marvin Magcale, instructor-inspector staff, Delta Company. "Then once mobilized, they complete extensive training on active duty at an intermediate location or ILOC." 

The unit will travel to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to continue training in areas such as advanced rifle range and grenade qualification, communications classes for gear from hard-mounted equipment to portable personal radios, medical and first aid training and driving instruction specific to military convoy operations. During the deployment to Iraq, the company will execute a convoy security team mission with Task Force Military Police. 

"A big part of our mission will involve driving around Iraq providing security to Third Country Nationals who move supplies, water, and ammunition," said Major Albizo. "We'll also handle detainee transfers to detainment facilities or for release." 

Following two months at Camp Pendleton, the Marines will then test those skills during Cajun Viper, a three-week exercise at Fort Polk, La. 

"This exercise will give them the opportunity to operate together to carry out their mission of convoy security during live-fire training," said Major Albizo. "It'll also give company leadership the chance to control the platoons downrange." 

After one final week back at Camp Pendleton, the members will have two weeks of block leave - one last chance before deployment to spend time with families and friends. 

"We have a pretty young crew," said Marine 1st Sgt. Doug Rines, who will return to Iraq and act as Major Albizo's senior enlisted adviser. "Many of these Marines have never been mobilized, and they could be nervous going into an area when they don't know what their going to face." 

He said his biggest concern is training. 

"I want to make sure they gain confidence during their training," said First Sergeant Rines. "Tough and realistic training is the only way we can do that. Then they'll be ready for any challenge." 

According to both the company commanding officer and first sergeant, the greatest challenge may be adjusting to the changing environment in the deployed area. 

"It may be a challenge to stay focused on the mission and remember that the enemy is out there," said Major Albizo. "With the reduced activity and fewer enemy engagements, the younger Marines may need to learn that this will take a calculated response, with stricter rules of engagement." 

The first sergeant echoed that message. 

"We train to prepare for combat," said First Sergeant Rines. "It's possible that the biggest thing we'll fight is complacency." 

Meanwhile, the staff at the training center will continue administrative and maintenance operations, coordinate and staff community relations events including the Toys for Tots program, provide military funeral honors, and serve as liaisons with communities throughout Alaska. 

"We have a great deal of responsibility in working closely with the community," said Marine Maj. Brent Goodrum, inspector-instructor of the Reserve training center and the senior Marine officer in Alaska. "We also stay plugged in to the family network of our unit while they're forward deployed." 

The unit held a family day May 10 offering agency representatives who could explain processes and benefits to family members and answer questions about the mobilization and deployment. 

"Many family members have loved ones going off into very uncertain events for the first time," said Major Goodrum. "Some of the families know what to expect and can support each other, so it's important to bring them together."