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U.S. Marines with the Ground Combat Element, Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa conduct an alert-force drill aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is a self-sustaining crisis-response force prepared for the protection of American personnel and facilities on the African continent when directed by U.S. Africa Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Nagle)

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U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa extract a simulated casualty during quick-response training aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, January 23, 2016. The alert force tested the unit’s capabilities by simulating the procedures of reacting to a time-constrained, crisis-response mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Nagle)

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U.S. Marine Cpl. Kyle Maurer, machine gunner with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, participates in an alert-force drill aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, January 23, 2016. The alert force tested the unit’s capabilities by simulating the procedures of reacting to a time-constrained, crisis-response mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Nagle)

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A U.S. Marine with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa provides security during quick-response training aboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, January 23, 2016. The alert force tested the unit’s capabilities by simulating the procedures of reacting to a time-constrained, crisis-response mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Nagle)

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NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain – Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa conducted quick-response training to test the unit’s capabilities at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Jan. 23, 2016.

“The mission today was to conduct [rapid-response support] for a task-force element with simulated casualties from a car accident during their missions down on the continent [of Africa],” said 1st Lt. Joseph Jansen, platoon commander for 4th Platoon, Bravo Company, SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “This drill was in preparation for us to assume command of the [crisis response mission]. It allows us to respond to contingency operations within [the region] as directed by [U.S. Africa Command] and the SPMAGTF here in Morón, Spain.”

SPMAGTF-CR-AF is entering its next rotation as 8th Marine Regiment with supporting units from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, and 1st Battalion, 8th Marines transition to Europe to assume the ongoing mission.

During an alert drill, the Marines have six hours to respond to a variety of different missions, whether an embassy reinforcement, a quick-response force or a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, explained Sgt. Richard Sauceda Jr., a squad leader with Bravo Company, SPMAGTF-CR-AF.

“As a squad leader, my responsibility is to make sure each one of my Marines are well trained and physically fit,” said Sauceda. “I come up with training plans for them to better themselves as Marines and be ready for any type of mission that we have pertaining to this deployment.”

Bravo Company’s duties will rotate between the alert force, duty and training. The company will also conduct bilateral exercises with European and African forces throughout the area of operations.

“Overall, I was happy with [the exercise],” said Jansen. “This was our second [Mission Rehearsal Exercise] since we arrived here. Our first exercise was only internal to the company. This time it was with the entirety of the MAGTF, with all of the warfighting functions. With the added friction of condensed timelines, extra expectations from the MAGTF, and the rehearsals we had done earlier in the week, I think it was a great improvement from our first exercise.”