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New Marine Corps Unit Arrives in Sigonella
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By 2nd Lt. Grace Jenkins / SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 COMMSTRAT OIC
U.S. Marine Col. Eric Cloutier, right, the commanding officer of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, transfers the unit colors to, Col. Denise Mull the commanding officer of SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Morón Air Base, Spain, Oct. 1, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kenny Gomez
Marines with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 extract a simulated casualty during quick-reaction force training at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Sept. 30, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kenny Gomez
Sailors with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 set up a shock trauma platoon in preparation for the unit’s arrival at NAS Sigonella, Sept. 26, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nello Miele
A Marine with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1 dissasembles a forward resuscitative surgical system at NAS Sigonella Oct. 1, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nello Miele.
A Marine with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.1participates in an explosive ordnance disposal exercise on Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Sept. 24, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Grace Jenkins.
A new Marine Air-Ground Task Force has begun its six-month rotational deployment, ready to respond to crises, protect U.S. citizens, and carry out security assistance activities on the African continent.
Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa 20.1 (“20” for the fiscal year, “1” for the 1st rotation of the year) is a contingent of over 800 Marines and Sailors. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is positioned to quickly respond to a broad spectrum of missions that range from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to providing military support to U.S. embassies and partner and allied nations.
As part of the Department of Defense’s continuing effort to improve its crisis response capability around the world, the United States Marine Corps created a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response in Africa. The official request for forces for a SPMAGTFCR-AF was made in February 2013. The Marine Corps established their initial force in March 2013 and has since maintained a rotational unit at both Morón Air Base, Spain and Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.
The unit is a self-deploying and highly mobile crisis response force allocated to U.S. Africa Command ready to respond to missions in both permissive and uncertain environments. SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducts crisis response, contingency operations, theater security cooperation, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, enabling operations and other missions as directed. Missions include the protection of U.S. personnel, property, and interests within Europe and Africa. The United States is grateful to the governments and citizens of Spain and Italy for allowing us to station this important crisis reaction force at Morón Air Base and Naval Air Station Sigonella. Both of these bases are strategically positioned and have the critical infrastructure necessary to host our task force. We are very thankful to be able to leverage it in support of our mission.
As a way to give back to our hosts, SPMAGTF-CF-AF Marines and Sailors will continue to volunteer their free time to service the local communities in both Morón and Sigonella through community relations events. These events include repair and refurbishment projects at churches and schools as well as food drives and blood drives to support the health and well-being of the regional community.
