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MeetSSP Presents MCSFBns Kings Bay and Bangor
10 October 2024
From Thomas Jones
YORKTOWN, Va – During a recent MeetSSP event, leadership from Marine Corps Security Force Battalions and Regiment presented an overview of the Security Force Battalions’ role in enabling SSP’s strategic deterrent mission through providing dynamic security at Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (SWFPAC) and Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic (SWFLANT).
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LtCol Joseph Moeller, Commanding Officer at Marine Corps Security Force Battalion (MCSFBn) Kings Bay, LtCol Ian Dunlap, Commanding Officer at MCSFBn Bangor, and Col Scott Reed, Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, presented to the workforce during MeetSSP 22 August.
The SWFs are responsible for the assembly and loading of the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile system. MCSFBns Bangor and Kings Bay act
as security for SWFPAC and SWFLANT, respectively, overseeing the safety of the strategic assets within their areas of responsibility in order to prevent unauthorized access or loss of control. They are additionally responsible for the recapture or recovery of any compromised strategic assets, and operate under a constant state of readiness and preparation should the worst happen.
The success of the MCSFBns is absolutely vital to both SSP’s mission and to national security, and as LtCol Dunlap put it, “We are accomplishing a no-fail mission.”
Ensuring this no-fail mission is a high-pressure responsibility for those who execute it. The majority of uniformed personnel serving at the MCSFBns are between the ages of 18 and 22 years old, and according to Dunlap, MCSFBn leadership is always looking to help their Marines and Sailors combat stress as best as they can.
“We want to do all we can to take care of them and improve their quality of life, such as updating their living facilities,” Dunlap said.
"Inside the wire, we’ve added MWR amenities such as gaming systems, TVs, unclassified PCs, updated books to libraries, to include current Commandant and CNO Reading List selections, and we’re pushing to refurbish furniture, mattresses, toilets, gym equipment, and ensure quality meals in the galleys.”
Personnel often work for multiple weeks at a time in a high-stress environment with restricted contact to family and friends, so maintaining morale and the mental well-being of personnel is a crucial component of mission success.
There are numerous factors associated with protecting strategic assets. The MCSFBns regularly undergo exercises, inspections, facility improvements, and other optimizations in addition to their standard operations to maintain their constant state of readiness.
Another unique aspect of the mission is the chain of command that the MCSFBns utilize. Personnel from both the Navy and Marine Corps operate under one commanding officer - a Marine Corps officer. Although Sailors and Marines serve together in other units across the services, the MCSFBn organizational structure isn’t replicated anywhere else. According to Col Reed, they’ve learned that putting too many people in charge of one function doesn’t work very well. Having one unified command is much more effective, removing the potential strain of conflicting directions to accomplish MCSFBn operations.
The combined unit fosters direct cooperation between the Marines and Sailors, providing a unique Blue-Green partnership in keeping with
SecNav Del Toro’s One Navy-Marine Corps Team vision.
As an additional benefit of this direct cooperation, Col Reed says good habits tend to rub off from the Marines to the Sailors and from the Sailors to the Marines, improving the command as a whole.
MeetSSP was developed as an informal program to introduce members of SSP to the different aspects of the organization. It serves to educate the workforce on the mission and purpose of various branches, supporting activities and partner organizations, and additionally highlights the personal experiences of individuals throughout the program.
Strategic Systems Programs is the Navy command that provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support for the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. This includes training, systems, equipment, facilities and personnel responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Trident II (D5LE) Strategic Weapon System.
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