Combat Logistics Regiment 3 prepares for future with Winter Workhorse

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anne Henry | Marines maintain a 7-ton truck Jan. 14 during the Winter Workhorse field exercise at the Central Training Area. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, AICHI, JAPAN

01.14.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Anne Henry 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Japan — Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 3 trained in a variety of military and occupational skill-sets Jan. 13-18 at the Central Training Area during the Winter Workhorse field exercise.

Winter Workhorse takes place annually and is designed to train Marines to carry out their mission essential tasks in a simulated forward-deployed environment.

Throughout Winter Workhorse, Marines practiced different tactics and techniques to prepare for various aspects of deployments and combat, according to 1st Lt. Kathryn C. Evezich, the regimental adjutant for CLR-3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

“We are running both maintenance in the field as well as practicing convoy operations, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (defense) training, and responding to ambushes,” said Evezich. “This is a huge learning opportunity for all the Marines out here.”

For the duration of the exercise, Marines maintained an operational mind-set during their daily tasks, keeping safety at the forefront of their actions, according to Staff Sgt. Kevin L. Tisdale, the engineer equipment maintenance chief with the regiment.

“The Marines need to understand how to operate the equipment they have been trained on while wearing the proper protective gear,” said Tisdale. “Everywhere they go, from the time they leave their tent in the morning, they are utilizing their gear. Along with that, we are simultaneously conducting any training that the regiment sees fit, such as annual training.”

With Marines who are new to the regiment, the training tests their skills and affords an opportunity to gauge their performance in a controlled setting, according to Tisdale.

“This not only tests their (MOS) capabilities, but it also allows me to evaluate them and see how much they have learned since leaving the schoolhouse,” said Tisdale. “It also allows me to see where their skill level is and where we need to start focusing our training once we get back into garrison.”

With a multitude of Marines from the unit trained in one area, it was critical that they worked as a cohesive team, according to Lance Cpl. Daniel N. Meggerson, a heavy-equipment operator with the unit.

“I am out here trying to learn all I can, and I think it is great that we have classes going all the time,” said Meggerson. “We are in a very different environment than when we are in garrison and have a lot of different sections here. It is important that we work together as a team.”

The training evolution left Marines of all ranks confident in their own abilities, as well as those of the Marines around them, according to Tisdale.

“As a whole, I feel like the Marines are performing very well,” said Tisdale. “I would feel comfortable taking these Marines into a deployed environment.”

• Date Taken: 01.14.2014
• Date Posted: 01.15.2014 23:49
• Story ID: 119229
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, AICHI, JP
• Hometown: ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: EVERGREEN, COLORADO, US
• Hometown: KINGSTREE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US