A light armored vehicle rolls along a dusty road on its way to an objective while the Marines inside prepare to conduct a raid on a suspected terrorist training camp during a training exercise here June 5. The Marines, with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted the raid as part of their pre-deployment workups, in preparation for an upcoming deployment later this year.

Photo by Cpl. Scott M. Biscuiti

CAAT, LAR platoons hit enemy hard during raid training

6 Jun 2007 | - 11th MEU Public Affairs 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, began a week-long training exercise at Fire Base Gloria here designed to train Marines to conduct raids on terrorist targets from the air, land and sea.

According to instructors from the Marine Corps Special Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Unit, here, the Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Platoons of BLT 1/5 are learning how to work as a team to hit the enemy hard, fast and with lethal force. Using scenarios modeled after real and possible future operations, the Marines are training to hit suspected terrorist training facilities suspected of manufacturing improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades and small arms.

The exercises are part of the 11th MEU’s pre-deployment training in preparation for their upcoming deployment later this year. To read more about the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit visit their website at http://www.usmc.mil/11thmeu.

All Entries

Marine Corps News

Colonel Thomas M. Siverts

Commanding Officer

Colonel Tom Siverts is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1989. He achieved a commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program following his graduation from the University of Virginia in May 1999. Colonel Siverts has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM. His other operational deployments include serving with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); BLT 3/8, 22d MEU; BLT 2/8, 26th MEU, and Task Force 61/2.

Read Biography

Lieutenant Col. Steven M. Sprigg

Executive Officer

LtCol Sprigg was born in Parkersburg, WV. LtCol Sprigg enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 2004 and recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. LtCol Sprigg was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 2008. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2011 and reported to HMLAT-303 for training as an AH-1W pilot. LtCol Sprigg is currently serving as the Executive Officer for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Camp Pendleton, California.

Read Biography

Sergeant Major Travis L. DeBarr

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major DeBarr enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to MCRD San Diego, CA, for recruit training in October 1994.Staff Sergeant DeBarr completed two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2005 to April 2006 and again form March 2007 to September 2007. While serving with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, First Sergeant DeBarr completed one combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from October 2012 to May 2013. Sergeant Major DeBarr currently serves as the Sergeant Major for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Read Biography