MCB Camp Pendleton

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Marines make faster desert, river crossing in Desert Scimitar 02

2 May 2002 | Cpl. Danielle M. Bacon Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

PALO VERDE, Calif. -- Approximately 2,000 Camp Pendleton Marines riding in 575 vehicles convoyed to the California-Arizona border last week and crossed the Colorado River April 29-30 over a bridge speedily erected by a local platoon. Their quick work shattered last year's timetable for only the second such crossing since Gen. George Patton shepherded an Army division across in the 1940s.

"I can't believe we got it done so fast. I am so proud of my Marines," said 2nd Lt. Jacqueline Atkinson, commander of Bridge Platoon, A Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, referring to the bridge-building phase of Desert Scimitar, the 1st Marine Division's capstone exercise.

Bridge Platoon, using six boats with two diesel engines each, maneuvered floating bays into place and completed the bridge in less than 2 1/2 hours. The convoy, carrying Marines from 1st Marine Division, 23rd Marine Regiment and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines, began rolling across the river four hours ahead of schedule.

Desert Scimitar 02 Phase II challenged the Marines to travel more than 170 miles through the Mojave Desert east of Twentynine Palms.

Once there, some units, because of road restrictions, needed buses to move their troops, said Maj. Christopher Nash, assistant plans officer, 1st Marine Division.

Before departing from Camp Pendleton, the Marines were briefed on the endangered desert tortoise, how to dispose of waste without attracting animals and other environmental concerns cited by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The division also coordinated with city planners and law enforcement agencies to develop a plan that would fit the division's need for staging areas along the route.

Once the tactical motorcade reached Riverside County, the convoy was split into two forces, "main" and "forward." They played a game of "leapfrog" to enhance security while progressing across the battlefield.

After hop-scotching across the desert through Riverside and Imperial counties, the Marines landed at Ulmer Field, land loaned by a local farmer and other private owners.

About five miles down the road, Bridge Platoon waited to span the river.

Not all of the platoon's equipment came from 7th ESB.

"We wouldn't have been able to complete this mission without boats and bays from 6th ESB," said Atkinson, referring to reservists who helped.

Building the bridge across the Colorado is a challenge the Marines can't get every day.

"The Marines can't get this type of training at Pendleton, because we do not have fast-moving currents there," said Capt. Michael Callanan, A Company commanding officer. The river under the expeditionary bridge was moving at 5 feet per second and is 15 feet deep near the center of the river.

The platoon started working on the bridge a little after 6:30 a.m. Vehicles were lumbering across it by 10 a.m.

"It went a lot smoother than it did last year," Atkinson said. "There are a lot of incorrect rumors about last year's exercise. They say the bridge broke as the general was crossing. It was never completely together. They needed the weight of the vehicle to push the bay down so they could connect it."

This year, nearly 600 vehicles crossed the river without incident. Each Marine was presented with cards adorned with a picture of last year's bridge as a keepsake of the crossing.

Next, the "forward" moved on to the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground. The next day, the "main" followed and ate a victory dinner before returning to home bases and stations.

Marines make faster desert, river crossing in Desert Scimitar 02

2 May 2002 | Cpl. Danielle M. Bacon Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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PALO VERDE, Calif. -- Approximately 2,000 Camp Pendleton Marines riding in 575 vehicles convoyed to the California-Arizona border last week and crossed the Colorado River April 29-30 over a bridge speedily erected by a local platoon. Their quick work shattered last year's timetable for only the second such crossing since Gen. George Patton shepherded an Army division across in the 1940s.

"I can't believe we got it done so fast. I am so proud of my Marines," said 2nd Lt. Jacqueline Atkinson, commander of Bridge Platoon, A Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, referring to the bridge-building phase of Desert Scimitar, the 1st Marine Division's capstone exercise.

Bridge Platoon, using six boats with two diesel engines each, maneuvered floating bays into place and completed the bridge in less than 2 1/2 hours. The convoy, carrying Marines from 1st Marine Division, 23rd Marine Regiment and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines, began rolling across the river four hours ahead of schedule.

Desert Scimitar 02 Phase II challenged the Marines to travel more than 170 miles through the Mojave Desert east of Twentynine Palms.

Once there, some units, because of road restrictions, needed buses to move their troops, said Maj. Christopher Nash, assistant plans officer, 1st Marine Division.

Before departing from Camp Pendleton, the Marines were briefed on the endangered desert tortoise, how to dispose of waste without attracting animals and other environmental concerns cited by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The division also coordinated with city planners and law enforcement agencies to develop a plan that would fit the division's need for staging areas along the route.

Once the tactical motorcade reached Riverside County, the convoy was split into two forces, "main" and "forward." They played a game of "leapfrog" to enhance security while progressing across the battlefield.

After hop-scotching across the desert through Riverside and Imperial counties, the Marines landed at Ulmer Field, land loaned by a local farmer and other private owners.

About five miles down the road, Bridge Platoon waited to span the river.

Not all of the platoon's equipment came from 7th ESB.

"We wouldn't have been able to complete this mission without boats and bays from 6th ESB," said Atkinson, referring to reservists who helped.

Building the bridge across the Colorado is a challenge the Marines can't get every day.

"The Marines can't get this type of training at Pendleton, because we do not have fast-moving currents there," said Capt. Michael Callanan, A Company commanding officer. The river under the expeditionary bridge was moving at 5 feet per second and is 15 feet deep near the center of the river.

The platoon started working on the bridge a little after 6:30 a.m. Vehicles were lumbering across it by 10 a.m.

"It went a lot smoother than it did last year," Atkinson said. "There are a lot of incorrect rumors about last year's exercise. They say the bridge broke as the general was crossing. It was never completely together. They needed the weight of the vehicle to push the bay down so they could connect it."

This year, nearly 600 vehicles crossed the river without incident. Each Marine was presented with cards adorned with a picture of last year's bridge as a keepsake of the crossing.

Next, the "forward" moved on to the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground. The next day, the "main" followed and ate a victory dinner before returning to home bases and stations.