Marine Rotational Drive-Darwin (MRF-D) 22 performed a trans-pacific tactical redeployment (TACREDEPLOY) of forces and gear, primarily consisting of a staff from the aviation fight factor (ACE) to additional display the vary and fast response functionality of the MAGTF from 12 – 17 September. TACREDEPLOY featured a five-day transit of key terrain within the South Pacific, with a piece of MV-22 Ospreys supported by a C-130. MRF-D Marines and Sailors together with the first Marine Plane Wing (MAW) supporting effort travelled from Darwin to Amberley in Queensland, Australia, then to Fiji, American Samoa, Kiribati, and completed on the MRF-D ACE house station of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In a little bit of historic symmetry, TACREDEPLOY began in Australia and led to Hawaii, two of essentially the most important areas through the conflict, and two areas vital to keep up a free and open Indo-Pacific right now.
“I need to maximize the coaching worth of each occasion, and make the most of alternatives permitting us to display notably our HADR proficiency within the Indo-Pacific,” defined Colonel Chris Steele, the MRF-D 22 commander, whereas offering his commander’s intent for the Marine Air Floor Activity Drive (MAGTF). “That is additionally a possibility to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences to our Marines and Sailors and that’s additionally necessary to us.”
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Every location provided alternatives for the MRF-D and MAW groups to interact and assist the native inhabitants, in addition to provide unforgettable views to the Marines and Sailors. Amberley is house to a significant Royal Australian Air Drive base, the place MRF-D personnel hung out with Australian aviators and shared their expertise within the allied nation. Upon arrival to Fiji, the local people joined MRF-D in a tour of the plane and traded tokens with the Marines and Sailors. American Samoa provided one of the memorable interactions, as one of many MRF-D vacationers obtained to spend time together with his household on his native island. Sergeant Tyrone Travers, an ACE maintainer, joined his sister in a heat embrace after visiting his house for the primary time in six years.
Following American Samoa, the MRF-D and MAW groups visited the island nation of Kiribati, the place HADR assist was welcomed. The area is combating by way of a drought, and as MRF-D started to plan for the evolution, supporting the folks in any method potential grew to become a precedence. MRF-D ready and offered provides to the native inhabitants to assist them by way of the difficult time, which included toys and sports activities gear donated by ACE Marines and Sailors. The ultimate leg of TACREDEPLOY concluded in Hawaii, which additionally served as a homecoming for the small group of MRF-D ACE personnel. Whereas geographically handy, the areas visited throughout TACREDEPLOY additionally mark historic websites for the Marine Corps as we bear in mind almost 80 years after many South Pacific milestones throughout World Struggle II.
