NAVAL STATION 32ND STREET, San Diego -- NAVAL STATION 32ND STREET, San Diego (Feb. 13, 2007) – The bustle and flow of Marines and Sailors preparing for a two-week underway period was interrupted today as Navy and Marine Corps force protection elements took part in a combined-security exercise aboard two separate piers here. The exercise emphasized the real-world urgency of security and, more importantly, ship security, especially when in foreign ports.
Role players posing as protesters challenged gate sentries while others attempted to breach entry control points and vehicle check points, carrying “contraband” training aids such as weapons and false identification.
While Marines and Sailors worked side-by-side for most of the exercise, the event was primarily aimed at training Expeditionary Strike Group-5 personnel as a reaction force during Threat Conditions (THREATCON) “Alpha” and “Bravo.” When the situation escalated, the THREATCON level was elevated to “Charlie” and Marines reinforced defensive positions on the pier with machine gunners, non-lethal crowd-control forces and entry control barriers.
“In a real-world mission, any time a cozy port gets hostile, that’s when we’re called up to support the Navy,” explained 2nd Lt. Micah Miner, guard force commander.
Instead of integrating forces during the heightened security conditions, Navy personnel take water-borne security into their own hands as Marines man the dry aspect of the post, said Miner.
The Marines making up the green side of the security force came from different sections of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, including 3rd Low-Altitude Air Defense Battalion and Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. These Marines have already completed a gauntlet of force-protection training throughout the MEU’s work-up cycle thus far.
“We’re here to support the Navy,” Miner said, “so everyone can get their training done.”