Defense Secretary Robert Gates Visits Camp Lejeune

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates visits Camp Lejeune.

By: | WNCT
Published: April 23, 2009

A group of marines preparing to deploy to Afghanistan spent the morning training which is pretty typical. However, during today's exercise Secretary of Defense Robert Gates watched from a nearby tower. Nine on Your Side's Laura Vesco spoke with marines from the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion about this unique opportunity and even got a chance to chat with the Secretary of Defense.

Discovering a high ranking insurgent leader is hiding in this mock-up Afghani village, marines begin shooting from their light armored vehicles. Distracted by the firing, insurgents fail to see camouflaged marines on foot taking aim from the opposite side. When smoke used to mask movement goes up, our marines move in.

All the while Defense Secretary Robert Gates watches from a nearby tower. Sergeant Ryan Lane says, “It was a great thing to have a man of his experience and everything he has been through in his entire career it's just amazing to have someone like him take time out of his day to come watch us train."

Defense Secretary Gates acknowledges most of these marines are enduring multiple deployments. "Because they are on their fourth and fifth deployment this is the most battle hardened force the United States has ever had in its history," says Gates.

While telling them job well done, Gates is promising marines he will urge congress to ensure proper funding and support for our military. Gates says, "We are trying by increasing the end strength of the marine corps by more than ten percent by 27,000 and with the draw downs in Iraq our hope is certainly is perhaps beginning toward the end of this year into next to begin to lengthen the time at home for all of these units."

Marines with the 2nd LAR say Gates visit just adds to their excitement. Sergeant Steven Crawford says, “Morale is high. The marines are ready to go out and execute the mission."

At the end of the training green smoke is let off showing the mission is complete, a sign these marines and the Secretary of Defense hope to soon see in Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Gates says the military is monitoring the mental stability of marines and the impact of multiple deployments. The goal in Afghanistan gates says is for civilians to one day run their cities without our help. While at Camp Lejeune Gates also watched IED training.