USS FORT MCHENRY -- The Marines and sailor of Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012 stepped foot on U.S. soil once again, redeploying to Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 28, after five months at sea conducting partnered training in numerous European countries.
In every clime and place they visited, the Marines and sailors of Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012 found themselves being challenged and tested; each time meeting the challenge with enthusiasm and determination. Whether it was climbing the walls of Fort de Penthievre with the French, assaulting the beaches of the Black Sea with the Romanians or grappling with the Albanians, the Marines pushed themselves as well as their foreign brothers-in-arms.
"I had a great time," said Cpl. Christopher Smith with Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012. "I got to see other countries and cultures. Plus, it was great to train with other militaries."
Over the course of the deployment the SCTF was able to visit a many different countries including France, Italy, Spain, Romania, Ireland and Albania.
"This being my first deployment, it definitely opened my eyes to the fact that there is a lot more to the world than my hometown or the base I'm stationed at," said Cpl. Randall Farinelli with Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012. "I'm really happy I was able to broaden my perspective thanks to this experience."
Though SCTF was meant to conduct training with numerous African countries, heated world events forced the Marines to quickly prepare to fill the role of quick reaction force.
"I am proud of the Marines and sailors of the Security Cooperation Task Force and all that we accomplished," said Lt. Col Christopher Curtin, commanding officer of Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012. "With our having to quickly and seamlessly transition from our mission of supporting security cooperation in Europe and Africa to supporting contingency operations, this deployment demonstrated the flexibility and diverse capability that the forward-deployed Navy and Marine Corps team possesses."