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YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Marines assigned to the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) serve an essential role when it comes to the security and defense of the United State's assets around the world.
The role of FAST is to detect, deter and defend against threats with a focus on antiterrorism. FASTs also share the common goal of reinforcing U.S. embassies while training and advising local and foreign security forces.
“Myself, and my fellow Marines are a force afloat in case anything terrorism-wise goes down,” Capt. Travis Posey, Bravo Six platoon commander said. “We are trained to be deployed from the Blue Ridge rapidly to an Embassy or any other dire situations that may need our assistance.”
Being part of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, Marines serving within the FAST community are highly skilled and trained in counter intelligence, physical security, urban combat techniques, close quarter combat, and martial arts.
“I've done cross-training with the Australian army before, and it was a great experience, Bravo Six Company's Armorer Lance Corporal Michael Griner said. “We taught them Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, while they taught us medical field training.”
Within the FAST regiment, there are three FAST companies. The 1st and 3rd FAST Company are based out of Norfolk, Va., while the 2nd FAST company is based out of Yorktown, Va. Within each FAST company there are 6 platoons of around 50 men.
While deployed, FAST platoons are assigned to commands in three areas: FAST Company Europe, FAST Company Pacific, or FAST Company Central.
Although Marines are not usually assigned to Navy ships, there is the exception for Marines assigned to FAST. While deployed on Navy vessels, Marines try to stay active and busy with working out and learning from their various classes.
According to Posey, trying to stay busy while the ship is underway can be hard, but he tries to keep his Marines busy with various activities.
“Besides exercising, we allow our more senior Marines to teach proper speaking skills with the public and classes on different battle positions, Posey said. We teach them on finding IEDs, using CHF radios, and identifying foreign infantry weapons to name a few.”
According to FASTPAC Bravo Six Lance Corporal Joshua Chapius, the Marines assigned to the Blue Ridge make an essential contribution to keeping the overall mission a safe and well guarded one.
“The fact that I get to learn and train with other militaries doing something I already love, has been one of the highlights of my time with FASTPAC,” Chapius said. “This whole experience has been a great learning experience and I've been to countries I never thought I would be able to visit on my own.”
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2011 19:02 |
| Story ID: | 74713 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 304 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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