Marines training intensifies

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Some 80 Marines based in Hawai'i recently deployed to Egypt to take part in Bright Star, a joint exercise with nine other nations, and the largest and most significant coalition military exercise undertaken by the Central Command.

Kane'ohe Marines are among thousands participating in a major exercise off the coast of Okinawa in southern Japan.

And approximately 1,500 K-Bay Marines are on the Big Island conducting annual combat readiness evaluations.

Chuck Little, a spokesman for Marine Forces Pacific, said that much of the training is just another day at the beach for Marines stationed here — albeit with a new sense of purpose, as the United States conducts attacks in Afghanistan.

"Honestly, I can tell you our Marines understand training is something we have to do all the time," Little said. "Obviously, there is going to be a little more sense of urgency, but we don't train any less seriously any other day of the year. As a Corps, we made a commitment to our nation to be ready when we're needed to be ready, and that's why we take training very seriously."

About 5,000 sailors and Marines are involved in the exercise off Okinawa amid heightened concerns over possible terrorist attacks. Five ships, including the two minesweepers and the USS Essex, an aircraft carrier-like ship with a flight deck for helicopters or Harrier jets, are part of the effort.

The exercises will include amphibious-vehicle shore assaults. There are three infantry battalions of Marines based at Kane'ohe Bay — but one battalion is always deployed to Okinawa.

Eighty Marines from the headquarters command from Marine Forces Pacific, meanwhile, have duties including the staging of Marine forces during Bright Star in Egypt, which includes Central Command Army, Air Force and Navy elements, as well as forces from Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Spain and Great Britain.

While taking part in the exercises, the Hawai'i-based Marines are redesignated as Marine Forces Central Command.

All the exercises are part of regularly planned training. But Little said they undoubtedly have a new sense of meaning.

"It would be foolish to think people aren't thinking about the world situation when they train," he said.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.