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KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (February 2, 2009) - The
U.S. Embassy, Kuwait, recently conducted an extensive evacuation
drill. It was part of a 13-day event called the Joint Combined
Security Exercise that ended on Jan. 21.
Kuwaiti Security forces, U.S. Army Central Command, U.S.
Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Navy, 26th
Marine Expeditionary Unit and a Marine Corps Fleet Anti-Terrorism
Security Team all played key roles in JCSE.
The evacuation portion of the event included all the necessary
elements needed to make a mass departure successful in a time of
crisis. Marines provided security, Embassy employees authenticated
passports, and the Navy's Assault Craft Unit 4 supplied
transportation.
"This was the first time I've been able to experience firsthand
how other branches of the military operate," said evacuee roll
player Spc. Rasheed L. Booker, Supply Specialist, 13th Deployment
Support Brigade.
While some events of JCSE occurred on Embassy grounds, the main
evacuation episode took place at an assembly area on the Kuwaiti
coast.
Marine infantrymen guarded the facility perimeter, while combat
support Marines screened role players posing as evacuees. Once
Embassy employees processed the group, they were given
identification bracelets and loaded onto a Landing Craft, Air
Cushion. The LCAC then took the role players several miles out to
the USS Carter Hall.
"Riding on the LCAC was the most exciting part of the exercise,"
said evacuee role player Capt. George B. Hutchinson, G-6, U.S. Army
Central Command, and Austell, Ga., native. "I only wish they would
have let me drive it."
The evacuees boarded the ship, were manifested and granted a
full tour. They returned to shore, once the imaginary crisis
concluded.
"These kinds of joint exercises are critical for improving our
ability to deal with crisis situations," said U.S. Ambassador to
Kuwait Deborah K. Jones. "I am particularly pleased with and proud
of the excellent cooperation and team-building that occurred
between our Kuwaiti partners, our U.S. military units, and the
Embassy's Regional Security Office."
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