MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- One of the United State’s most elite units took on new leadership and opened a new $67 million state-of-the-art training complex during a change-of-command and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Camp Pendleton, July 13.
Command of Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion changed hands as Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Tuggle relinquished responsibility for the unit to Lt. Col. Michael A. Brooks during the two-hour ceremony. In addition to new leadership, the battalion also introduced the recently built 33-acre complex and six different training facilities at the event.
“These men, these Marines are creating history and doing the nation’s work on a daily basis,” said Col. Stephen W, Davis, deputy commander, Marine Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command. “We ask an awful lot of the Marines from this battalion, and we owe them a state-of-the-art facility in which they can plan, train, operate, and ultimately live.”
The latest U.S. Special Operations Command complex consists of six different structures designed for headquarters administration, paraloft training, academic instruction, motor transportation and warehouse storage. The complex’s million dollar multi-story facilities were built to better accomplish the battalion’s worldwide mission.
A 100-foot tall rappel tower with parachute drying gas-fired heaters is just one of the advancements provided by the new special operation complex. Additional training facility upgrades include a language laboratory, an interrogation training room and audio-visual office furniture.
“We are well supported by our leadership, a leadership that understands the way of the future,” said Davis. “This is a material representation of a shared vision from that leadership.”
The 1st MSOB was activated on October 26, 2006 and is headquartered at Camp Pendleton. Since the unit’s activation, the battalion has conducted seven team-sized deployments, six company level deployments, and one battalion deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.