Photo Information

Senior Chief Petty Officer Lawrence Lopez talks to Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) Jan. 5 during fire fighting training. The 11th MEU is currently deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKIARG) as the U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Carpenter

11th MEU Marines Learn Shipboard Damage Control

5 Jan 2012 | Cpl. Ryan Carpenter 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Approximately 30 Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit learned emergency ship repair and fire-fighting skills aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) Jan. 5 during a fire-fighting exercise.

Chief Petty Officer Jody Schilling, the damage control chief for the ship, said the Marines were trained to augment the Navy’s capabilities in case of emergencies.

The Marines’ strength and quick decision making can be applied to damage control, he explained.

“We have twice as many Marines on board as we do Navy,” said Schilling. “We want to combine their skill set with ours and make a more effective team.”

Instructors taught fire-hose handling, donning fire-fighting gear, pipe patching and dewatering, a process that uses hoses and water pressure to create a vacuum and pump out water.

Schilling said his goal is to train a new group of Marines on basic damage control every month.

Machine-gunner Lance Cpl. Justin Mischloney said it’s important for the Marines to know these skills.

“Marines are everywhere on the ship,” said the 23-year-old Alpena, Mich., native. “No matter where something happens, there is going to be a Marine there to give a hand to the Navy.”

Mischloney serves with Company L, which is one of three rifle companies with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the unit.

The 11th MEU is currently deployed aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKIARG) as the U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

 


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