LAEM CHABANG COMMERCIAL PORT, Thailand -- On the morning of Feb. 3, 2018, Marines crowded at the aft of the U.S.N.S. Pililaau (TAKR-304) in preparation of the 100-foot long ramp to drop at Laem Chabang Commercial Port.
As the U.S. Sailors threw the lines over the side of the Marine Corps Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) ship, the anticipation built. When the ramp hit the ground, Combat Logistics Detachment 332 hit the ground running with a safety brief and began to offload over 200 pieces of equipment.
“If we needed to get engaged into a fight, we can call upon this equipment and these ships,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sheldon Ford, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force On load/Offload Liaison Officer. “Basically the [MPF] is on call, 24/7.”
Marines with CLD-332 rolled everything from tanks to trucks were pulled off of the ship to be sent to different places in Thailand in support of Cobra Gold 2019..
“It’s not an easy job, driving and parking up in [the ships] holds,” said Cpl. Antonio, a Marine Air-Ground Task Force On load/Offload Liaison Team noncommissioned officer. “It’s pretty tight, very close and we don’t want anyone to get in any accidents or have any problems.”
After the third day of working through the night, Marines with CLD-332, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, finished the offload.
“This is a rare capability that not a lot of Marines get to see,” Ford said. “I’m very excited to see this and be a part of it.”