Corps exercise brings ground units to Guam

NAVAL COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS STATION GUAM -- Two companies of Marines and sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force will begin training on Guam Feb. 11 during Exercise Guahan Shield 2013, which is scheduled to conclude in May.

The exercise will facilitate multiservice engagements, set conditions for bilateral and multilateral training opportunities, and support rapid response to potential crises and contingency operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Guahan Shield will be conducted at existing military facilities on Guam by Combat Logistics Detachment 39. CLD-39 consists of about 175 members of 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and about 175 members of Compay L, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which is assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program.

Guahan Shield is being conducted as part of III MEF’s responsibility to ensure Marines and sailors are thoroughly trained to meet mission requirements and perform at the highest level of readiness. Guam provides the diverse expeditionary opportunities Marines need to conduct dynamic, varied training evolutions necessary to maintain proficiency and operational readiness across the range of military operations. This further improves the Marine Corps’ ability to rapidly respond to contingencies throughout the region.

“It is exciting for us to deploy for this exercise,” said Capt. Chad Presley, a company commander for CLD-39. “We look to take advantage of the diverse training environments and opportunities Guam has to offer. Aviation units have conducted several exercises on Guam, but ground service support companies, specifically our engineering company, can also benefit from training and the opportunities for multiservice engagement projects here.”

Additionally, Guahan Shield allows III MEF to build upon smaller training events recently conducted on Guam and throughout the Northern Mariana Islands. The exercise provides valuable training for current forces as well as an opportunity to develop expertise and lessons learned for future training operations throughout the region.

Guahan Shield also offers the opportunity for III MEF Marines and sailors to interact with local communities on Guam and the surrounding Northern Mariana Islands, facilitating constructive community engagements and community relations projects.

“Exercise Guahan Shield affords III MEF the ability to take advantage of unique training opportunities on U.S. soil,” said Maj. Rob Thomas, the officer in charge of the forward command element for Guahan Shield. “In addition to training, we look forward to interacting with the local communities there and learning about the Chamorro culture.”