24th MEU opens Garmsir Civil Military Operations Center 

Marines and the British Forces of Task Force Helmand opened a Joint Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC) yesterday in the vicinity of the British Forward Operating Base Delhi, in Garmsir District here. 

      On its first day the CMOC had 31 visitors and paid 15 claims.  

The Marines established the CMOC; provided the initial administration, command and control to run the center; and will continue to maintain the secure environment in which the center will operate.  The Marines’ focus will be battle damage reparations and coordinating with those follow-on agencies to continue the work of reconstruction and development. 

      Task Force Helmand will focus on building an enduring capability to support stabilization, reconstruction and development.   

Already the British Forces have assigned a Stabilization Advisor to Garmsir.  The Stabilization Advisor will work with the local government, military and support agencies to assist and coordinate reconstruction and development efforts as it applies to governance, law, security, and the economy.  The Afghan government is also committed to Garmsir’s reconstruction and has assigned a representative from their Ministry of Reconstruction and Rural Development. Afghan locals will be hired for administration and support roles in the CMOC.  Other governmental and non-governmental agencies will come online as needs arise and capabilities become available.

“We need to have a measured approach to the influx of supporting agencies,” said Col Peter Petronzio, commanding officer, 24^th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO-International Security Assistance Force.  “If we aren’t careful we will do more than can be sustained upon our departure.  Our guiding principle needs to be the needs and desires of the people of Garmsir.”  

“The ultimate purpose, aside from assisting the Afghan citizens, is to make the eventual departure of the Marines as transparent as possible to the local community,” said CWO2 Rene Cote, civil affairs officer, 24^th MEU.  “Our approach is to work with alliance partners and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to build capacity in a manner that is sustainable after the eventual departure of Marine forces.” 

Marines are here to secure routes through the district to enable the extension of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

     The 2,400-strong Marine unit is conducting operations in support of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.      

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Note for editors: 

      The Marines have access to a few different money programs:  

The purpose of the Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP) is to enable on-the-ground commanders to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction requirements within their areas of responsibility by carrying out programs what will immediately assist the indigenous population.  This program authorizes commanders to help in the following areas: water and sanitation; food production and distribution; agriculture; electricity; healthcare; education; telecommunications; economic and financial management; transportation; rule of law and governance; irrigation; civic cleanup activities; civic support vehicles; repair of civic/cultural facilities; condolence payments; protective measures to name a few.   

The ISAF Post-Operations Humanitarian Relief Fund (IPOHRF) provides the means for commanders to respond quickly to urgent humanitarian assistance requirements immediately following ISAF military operations.  It is designed to react to the plight of the local population when civilian agencies have not yet been able to respond.  IPOHRF assists with food, water, shelter, essential medicines, and essential repairs. 

The DoD Small Rewards Program allows the payment of monetary funds or payments-in-kind to citizens (non-coalition/alliance) as a reward for providing US government personnel with information or non-lethal assistance that is beneficial to an operation or activity of the armed forces.

http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/24meu