MCB QUANTICO, Va., Feb 9 -- Angry rioters shook their fists and demanded that the Americans leave their country. Marines restrung concertina wire and stayed hunkered behind the concrete blocks at their vehicle checkpoint. And then came the shocking news; a bomb had been detected in the American Embassy.
No, these are not the latest headlines from one of the many troubled hotspots around the world requiring the presence of America’s 9-1-1 force, but in fact are part of a weeklong operation readiness exercise for the 2nd Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, from Camp Allen, Norfolk, Va., which began Jan. 5 and concluded Friday here at Camp Upshur.
Second FAST Co. is one of two FAST companies that are part of Marine Corps Security Force Battalion.
According to Capt. Adam R. Sacchetti, a platoon commander for 2nd FAST Co., the mission of a FAST Co. is to respond rapidly with a highly mobile force to improve security at U.S. government installations across the globe, bringing to mind the old adage of “send in the Marines!”
“We’re simulating reinforcing an American embassy because of recent turmoil in the area,” said Sacchetti.
“The Department of State has enacted their emergency procedures and we bring in a highly-deployable platoon-sized force, which specializes in site security.
“Our mission is to deter, detect, mitigate, and defend,” he added.
According to Capt. Ernest E. Adams, executive officer for 2nd FAST Co., the simulated situation, which he helped develop from historical scenarios, occurs in the African sub-Saharan nation of Chad, where Marines have shot several indigenous civilians, injuring or killing 10 or 15, most of whom did not appear to have weapons or display hostile intent.
The incident has provoked an angry uproar from the populace, which has surrounded the American embassy, in actuality a two-story red-brick building cordoned off by concertina wire and a functional vehicle checkpoint at Camp Upshur, Adams added.
“It’s an ideal location and an excellent facility,” said Sacchetti about why the location at Camp Upshur was chosen.
The purpose of this exercise is to give the 50 FAST Co. Marines participating in the ORE the most realistic and comprehensive training possible, said Sacchetti.
“We’re putting together six months of training into one week,” Sacchetti said. “It’s as close as we can simulate.”
Watching the Marines operate their vehicle checkpoint, manage potentially violent protestors, and respond efficiently to the bomb threat, Sacchetti described the demanding nature of their training.
“The training is going on all week and that’s part of the training, having the Marines get hungry, tired, cold and aggravated,” he said. “It’s probably been the most challenging training they’ve received so far. I know I’m being challenged.”
Part of this training has been to emphasize small-unit leadership and the importance of individual initiative, Sacchetti explained, which ensures the Marines train as they fight.
“There’s no right or wrong answer with this type of training,” he said. “It’s about 50 percent training and 50 percent judgment.”
This bias for small-unit leadership and decision making makes the Marines more flexible in dealing with the unpredictable nature of the scenario, especially when dealing with civilians, Sacchetti said.
“[Marines] need to get experience working with those who are not necessarily enemy and who are not necessarily friendly,” he added.
According to Sacchetti, this necessitates multiple debriefings through the course of the ORE to examine how effective the training is, as well as how the Marines are responding to its challenging aspects.
The practical training that the Marines receive here will be critical to their success in providing security to U.S. interests around the world.
“We can always do better,” Sacchetti concluded.