MILITARY: Marine unit stands ready for Mideast emergencies

'FAST' platoon ready on moment's notice

By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer | Thursday, November 13, 2008 7:07 PM PST ∞

Editor's note: Reporter Mark Walker is traveling through the Middle East with Camp Pendleton's Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland.
MANAMA, Bahrain ---- As the USS Ronald Reagan steamed toward a port call in Dubai last month, intelligence reports suggested a terrorist attack against the aircraft carrier was imminent.

That sounded the alarm for a special Marine security contingent stationed here.

A 45-man platoon from the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team soon was on its way to the San Diego-based carrier to provide extra security.

"We're the emergency expeditionary force," said Temecula's Capt. Chris Reinke, commander of one of two platoons that comprise the anti-terrorism contingent at Bahrain. "We're the ones called upon whenever there is a perceived threat."

Reinke is the son of retired Maj. Gen. Claude Reinke, who recently left his post as publisher of The Californian, the Riverside County edition of the North County Times.

Capt. Reinke's unit is one of 18 around the world that can be called into action whenever a U.S. interest is threatened.

Their work typically involves embassy and consulate reinforcement; port, airfield, oil and gas platform security; and missions such as the call to protect the USS Ronald Reagan.

Another example of the team's work came last month when the U.S. embassy in Yemen was attacked. One of the platoons was on alert for 96 hours before being told to stand down.

"We can be on the flight line in less than four hours," Reinke said of the time it takes to assemble his men and their equipment.

In the case of the USS Ronald Reagan, the platoon provided security for three days before returning to their station in Bahrain.

Most of the young enlisted Marines who staff the platoon volunteered for the two-year assignment, except for Lance Cpl. Jarrett Carroll, who said he was "voluntold." During an interview with Carroll and a dozen other enlisted men, most said they sought the assignment to bolster their military careers and their chances of landing law enforcement jobs when they leave the service.

The young Marines said much of their day-to-day activity involved weapons and assault training and frequent joint training exercises with security forces in Bahrain and neighboring Persian Gulf countries.

Most joined the unit fresh from infantry school, and to a man each said he was anxious for combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan after their current assignment expires.

Before coming to Bahrain earlier this year, most served with an anti-terror team based at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There, they said they often stood guard along the perimeter of the base facing off with Cuban military forces on the other side.

As the only heavily armed Marine force stationed on this island nation off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, the platoon has a wide array of small arms and assault weapons at its disposal.

"We don't go in empty handed, that's for sure," Carroll said.

Reinke, a recently minted captain, has headed his platoon since October and is slated to stay in the post until next summer.

Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.