Staff Sgt. Apollo Flores radios commands during live-fire training here Jan. 30. The 28-year-old El Paso, Texas, native serves as a section leader with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is currently providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Unit's light-armored recon maintains readiness

27 Jan 2012 | Sgt. Elyssa Quesada 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

DJIBOUTI -- Marines participated in a motorized training patrol here Jan. 27, operating light-armored vehicles on the ground for the first
time since deploying with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Navy ships in November 2011, according to platoon sergeant Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Rea.

Twenty-eight Marines and one corpsman, members of the unit's ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, mounted vehicles and moved across rugged terrain.

"It was good get on the road again," said Lance Cpl. Devin Foret, a driver with the platoon, which is a detachment from 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Drivers moved along using periscopes to navigate.

"I received hands-on training," said the 22-year-old Cairo, Ga., native. "Being closed in with limited line of sight helped me improve my driving skills and communication with the crew."

Elements of the unit are currently deployed aboard USS Makin Island as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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