ABOARD THE USS PELELIU -- The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit was paid a special visit by Samuel Brock, senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, who was role playing as the consular general of a notional country used by the MEU for their Joint Task Force Exercise training, Jan. 17.
While here, Brock met with Brig. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, Expeditionary Strike Group Three commander, Navy Capt. Peter Morford, Amphibious Squadron Three commander, Navy Capt. W. S. Personius, Peleliu commanding officer, Col. J. W. Bullard, 11th MEU commanding officer, and primary staff members of the MEU, to share their thoughts on ways to improve the working relationship between a host country and the naval services.
“This type of training cannot be replaced because (the embassy) has their service culture and we have ours,” said Lt. Col. Frank D. Topley, executive officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “This allows us to work together as Americans for the same objectives.”
Noncombatant Evacuation Operations and embassy reinforcements are direct actions provided by the MEU. “But we’ll never go into a country without support from their respective embassies,” added Topley.
Brock and other training members were initially greeted by the primary staff upon their arrival here. In addition to training they were given a tour of the ship to become familiar with the MEU’s culture. The simulation serves to improve on working relations between the 11th MEU and host countries.