MAY 23, 2017, CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines, soldiers, airmen, and sailors from reserve component units across the country supported I Marine Expeditionary Force Joint Task Force Operational Capability Assessment here, May 8-18, 2017.
During the exercise, I MEF took the role of Joint Task Force headquarters providing command and control, planning and communications that focused on regional stability and contingency training in notional support of a U.S. partner nation.
Eighty-three reserve Marines from I MEF, 1st Civil Affairs Group, and other U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve units supported key staff functions providing subject-matter expertise to the JTF headquarters at Camp Pendleton and a forward element at Yuma, Ariz. The I MEF staff was also augmented by 29 joint U.S. service members from the Air Force, Navy and Army reserves.
Col. Luis Del Valle, 1st CAG commanding officer said “First CAG’s seamless support of I MEF during (the exercise), demonstrates the ‘Ready to Fight Tonight’ mindset instilled in the reserve component.”
OCA was one of many large-scale exercises that the reserve component supports throughout the year. This ensures an operational reserve that is ready, relevant and responsive in order to provide value-added capabilities to global requirements.
By Courtesy Story, I Marine Expeditionary Force