Virginia, Minn., native returns from seven-month deployment to the Republic of Georgia

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero | Marines from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group were presented a plaque by the Republic of Georgia's 31st Light Infantry Battalion prior to returning home from their seven-month deployment in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). These five MCTAG Marines formed part of the Georgia Training Team (GTT), which provides the coordination and support element to the GDP-ISAF instructors throughout a Georgian infantry battalion's training cycle. Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is the lead component for the planning, coordination, and execution of GDP-ISAF. Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is a unit the specializes in conducting security cooperation (SC) training and events in support of regional Marine Force headquarters and the GDP-ISAF training program is the largest and longest mission to date. Marines standing up from left to right are Maj. Walter Maessen, Maj. Matthew O'Donnell, Gunnery Sgt. James Wells and kneeling from left to right are Sgt. Robert Elsenpeter, Staff Sgt. Marcuss Hernandez and Sgt. Thomas Perez.  

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

09.28.2011

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Five Marines from Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group (MCTAG) returned home from a seven-month deployment to the Republic of Georgia, Sept. 27.

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Shaun Leek, who is a native of Virginia, Minn., served as the senior enlisted advisor for this deployment in support of the 4th rotation of Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF), which is a United States European Command program that trains and equips Republic of Georgia infantry battalions to serve alongside Marines in Afghanistan.

Also on the deployment were, Maj. Walter Maessen, operations officer and native of San Antonio, Staff Sgt. Marcuss Hernandez, training chief and native of Woodland, Calif., Sgt. Robert Elsenpeter, training clerk native of Stafford, Va. and Sgt. Tomas Perez, logistics chief and native of Los Angeles.

These five MCTAG Marines formed part of the Georgia Training Team (GTT), which provides the coordination and support element to the GDP-ISAF instructors throughout a Georgian infantry battalion's training cycle. They also provided liaison between U.S. and Georgian forces in order better facilitate the training efforts of the GDP-ISAF program.

Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is the lead component for the planning, coordination, and execution of GDP-ISAF.
Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is a unit the specializes in conducting security cooperation (SC) training and events in support of regional Marine Force headquarters and the GDP-ISAF training program is the largest and longest mission to date (two years thus far).

For more information on Gunnery Sgt. Shaun Leek or on Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group and their role in the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force, please contact Gunnery Sgt. Alexis R. Mulero, MCTAG Public Affairs Chief at Office: [phone] Ext. 2265. Cell: [phone] or at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 09.28.2011
• Date Posted: 09.28.2011 16:27
• Story ID: 77708
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US