Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col John Golden, commanding officer, Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task...... read more read more
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MALEME, Greece — More than 23,000 German soldiers entered Greece on May 20, 1940, to attack main airports and overtake the country. Crete, a strategically located Greek island, was defended by 33,000 British, Australian, and New Zealand troops as well as about 10,000 Greek soldiers. These forces fought off a German airborne assault, inflicting and receiving heavy casualties, during which German forces were denied control of Crete.
On the 71st anniversary of that historic invasion, Marines with Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 10, were in port in Souda Bay, Crete. The SCMAGTF took the opportunity to conduct a bilateral training exercise with the 1st Paratrooper Battalion of the Greek Special Forces, May 20 and 21, on the same field drop zone that German Paratroopers used to drop into Greece 71 years ago.
Rounds whizzed down range as Marines participated in a live-fire exercise with a platoon of approximately 40 members of 1st Paratrooper Battalion at Maleme airfield, May 20. During the practical application, the Greeks took turns firing the M16 and M4 service rifles as well as the M9 service pistol. In return, Marines got a chance to fire the MP5, primary weapon of the Greek Special Forces.
"The training went very well for both the Greeks and U.S. Marines, considering that the training was put together on short notice," said Capt. Michael Grijalva, operations officer for the SCMAGTF. "We took that opportunity to engage the Marines ashore with the Paratroopers and in return offered us the opportunity to participate in a 12-mile hike through the scenic countryside, which, for the young Marines, was definitely a great opportunity."
In addition to the range, the Greek service members also received combat life saving classes instructed by the SCMAGTF Corpsmen and a combat leadership forum from Marine veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The following day, the SCMAGT was given the opportunity to complete a 12-mile hike with members of the Greek 1st Paratrooper Battalion, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for some, to see the historic lands that made up the beautiful country. Throughout the hike, members of the Greek Special Forces would stop to describe the significance of special ruins, some which dated back to 200 B.C.
The last mile led down a snaking road and ended in a beautiful cove extending from the sea, the inlet of which outlined an area where only a few ancient Greek ruins were left standing. The cove was also a site that the Germans used as a submarine base during World War II.
Greece was the most recent country where these Marines had the opportunity to work with foreign militaries, increasing both partner nation relations and military interoperability. After a port visit in Italy, the only stop left is Estonia for an amphibious landing demonstration as part of exercise Baltic Operations. After an exciting adventurous deployment, Marines are eager to return home to family and friends.
"This deployment has offered so many great experiences, opportunities I never thought I would have," said Lance Cpl. Justin Clancy, a Marine with the ground combat element of SCMAGTF. "I've had so much fun over the last few months, explored so many cultures and met some amazing people, but I am ready to go home."
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2010 08:59 |
| Story ID: | 50434 |
| Location: | MALEME, GR |
| Web Views: | 295 |
| Downloads: | 150 |
This work, SCMAGTF, Greek Special Forces conduct bilateral training on 71st anniversary of German invasion, by GySgt Michele Hunt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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