Courtesy Photo | Lance Cpl. Bryan R. Howard, a native of Somerset, Mass., and a Squad Automatic Weapon...... read more read more
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ABOARD USS BATAAN — Patrolling the high seas in several thousand tons of sovereign American steel is an important responsibility, one the Marines and sailors of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and Bataan Amphibious Ready Group take seriously.
One of the jobs of the Navy and Marine Corps team is to keep watch on the millions of tons of cargo that transits the shipping lanes aboard all manner of ships from a multitude of different countries.
The method for maintaining that watch is known as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, or VBSS, and it is one of the oldest integrated naval missions.
"To me, that's what Marines were born to do," said Maj. Timothy Davis, the MEU's assistant operations officer and native of Felton, Pa. "We were originally formed to be soldiers of the sea."
The VBSS mission has several variations in delivery and intensity, which are decided based on the actions of the target ships' crews.
But the core task is for a group of Marines and sailors to board the ship and ensure the ship is safe and that it is not violating shipping laws by carrying prohibited equipment or individuals.
In extreme circumstances the VBSS teams may be called on to take total control of the target ship.
For the past several years VBSS above the lowest levels had been a mission for Special Operations Forces that deployed with MEUs.
Originally, the task was the forte of the Maritime Special Purpose Forces. And in more recent years, the job fell to Marine Special Operations Companies when they replaced the MSPFs.
Prior to the current deployment of the 22nd MEU and Bataan ARG, the 22nd MEU was tasked to master the VBSS. And though the requirement changed well after the pre-deployment training phase for the MEU was over, the Marines and sailors were ready to step up to the challenge.
"After March, we were certified to deploy as a Marine Expeditionary Unit," said Lt. Col. David Owen, the MEU operations officer and native of Gary, Ind. "Then, about two weeks before we deployed, we were notified that the Marine Corps wanted us to be able to deploy with a VBSS capability."
The MEU immediately started planning how to get enough Marines and sailors trained to be able to fill the VBSS requirement.
"We just put our heads together and developed a detailed plan," said Davis.
Along the way, the MEU had some guidance from Special Operations Training Group, the organization tasked with training and certifying MEUs for deployments.
"We had support from SOTG from II [Marine Expeditionary Force] and III MEF, which was invaluable in those endeavors," said Davis.
Because of the unique aspects of operating aboard ships, the Marines tasked with executing the missions received extra training in several specialized tasks, like fast-roping and shipboard close-quarters engagement.
"The importance of training is really the same for every mission," said Owen.
The MEU used a three-phase approach, starting the training with basics such as ship familiarization and moving all the way up to having teams fast-rope to the deck of their targets out of CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced).
The MEU performed the fast-rope assault missions two times on one of the smaller ships of the Bataan ARG, USS Fort McHenry, and a prepositioning ship, Motor Vessel 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez. Each mission was more complex in its execution.
"The third mission, we actually executed our casualty evacuation plan, our detainee handling and our [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] contingency," said Davis. "They were definitely operating on all cylinders."
Even with all the training and guidance, the operators on the mission developed procedures that worked best for them.
"There was a lot of creativity from our Marines," said Davis. "Basic things, like how you keep track of where you've been on ship, or what unit has gone down what passageway."
The tactical methodology of VBSS is much different from the room-clearing techniques Marines learn for land-based operations.
"When you're on a ship, everything is so much smaller and more confined and your tactics totally change," said Staff Sgt. Brian Pavlus, a Marine from Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.
Panama City, Fla., native Pavlus added that the nature of the shipboard environment even changes how the Marines gear up.
"We have to slim down the gear that we wear because we're not going to be able to fit two guys into a space like we would in an urban environment," Pavlus said.
VBSS is not solely a Marine mission.
"There are things we do very well as Marines," said Owen. "Particularly the actions-on-objective and any potential combat related skills."
But if a team has to take over a vessel after the assault, they have a team of sailors along to pilot the ship and handle damage control.
"We're not the experts on that. It really makes it a blue-green mission," Owen said, using a term that connotes Navy-Marine teamwork. "If the Marines and sailors of the Bataan ARG and the 22nd MEU weren't already a well-gelled team, then this training may have been a little more challenging."
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multi-purpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors. Led by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, the 22nd MEU consists of its Ground Combat Element, BLT 3/2; Aviation Combat Element, VMM 263 (Rein); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element.
The 22nd MEU, embarked aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, is currently serving as the theater reserve force for U.S. European Command. The unit deployed from Camp Lejeune, May 15, on a scheduled seven-month deployment.
For more information, stories and photographs from the 22nd MEU, please visit the unit website at http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/22ndmeu/
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2009 02:55 |
| Story ID: | 35310 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS BATAAN, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 1,040 |
| Downloads: | 957 |
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