CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 22 on Camp Lejeune recently supported a destructive weather mission rehearsal in Norfolk, Virginia.
What You Need To Know
Marine Corps unit needs to be ready to respond to destructive weather
Camp Lejeune Marines traveled to Virginia to prepare for the potential disasters
Training allows young Marines to showcase their skills
The unit needs to be able to respond to any destructive weather crisis on the east coast, and the logistics behind the training event was led by Staff Sergeant Nick Vallejo.
“This is to get the mentality that we may get the call within 24 hours to respond to such a destructive weather event,” Vallejo said.
In order to be fully prepared, rehearsing for any potential event is vitally important.
“It's a rehearsal today but tomorrow could be the real thing, and we don't want to wait for that last minute call to figure things out,” Vallejo said.
Vallejo said that accountability is the most important thing to track when performing such a large scale mission, so double checking gear was something he ensured happened. Everything from every piece of gear to all of the personnel.
“Even something as simple as an item on their list has to be accounted for because obviously there's a mission essential reason we have it,” Vallejo said.
He said there are a lot of areas where things may not be thought of until something goes wrong. The unit anticipates that daily so to ensure any wrongdoings don't become a reality that could hinder future operations.
Overall, the training mission could impact the unit's ability to provide aid to areas in need in the event of a severe weather crisis, but it also allows younger Marines an opportunity to showcase their skills.
“So far the excitement for where personnel are going to be and what their actual tasks are going to be. Again, a lot of upcoming leadership in place so that way they can prove themselves and determine what kind of things they can bring to the table,” Vallejo said.
The Marines and sailors of the unit worked alongside sailors from the USS Arlington, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command to refine different capabilities.