Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Ten, better known as MSRON-TEN, has the distinct mission of providing force protection for all sea craft the U.S. Navy deems high-value assets.
[QUOTE: Senior Chief Eric Varela]
“A high-value asset can be anything from a submarine to aircraft carrier to a military sealift command ship that operational commanders deem a high-value asset.”
Meet Senior Chief Eric Varela, MSRON-10’s Alpha Company Senior Enlisted Leader. Varela, along with the rest of Alpha Company, are gearing up for deployment overseas to support missions in the Horn of Africa.
[QUOTE]
“We feel like we have a good team that is coming up for this deployment, and I’m just glad to be a part of it. There’s a lot of positive attitudes, and eagerness to take over this mission.”
While deployed, Alpha Company will conduct maritime force protection across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports, and harbors against enemies, and when commanded, conduct offensive combat operations. To carry out this mission, they will need the authority to use their weapons, and this authorization is usually reserved only for the Navy’s officer corps. But for this all-enlisted boat crew, a qualified coxswain, can authorize gunners to use deadly force, if needed. In fact, the position of coxswain is one of the few enlisted titles that can hold this critical weapons release authority.
[QUOTE]
“We pride ourselves in that. And so once you make it to that coveted qualification of coxswain, with that position, comes a greater amount of responsibility. And the commanding officer can entrust you as somebody that has weapons release authority.”
Its a responsibility these security personnel take seriously. And so they train. And they train. And they train some more, until their tactics are sound, and every sailor is completely qualified.
[QUOTE]
“We train to the one percent. Anything from doing a man overboard exercise, to an underway gun shoot, its real-life training that we do that has has meaning to protecting a high-value asset, but also protecting your shipmate that you serve with.”
And that’s why MSRON-10 will be ready, come what may, for this deployment and the next. Because these gunners are locked and loaded, ready to keep the peace. And if needed, to win the battle.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2023 20:10 |
| Story ID: | 448344 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 549 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Preps for Deployment, by TSgt Benjamin Hayes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
