Marines in Mock Raid Infiltrate 'Enemy-Held' Oil Platform off California Coast

Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit raided an "enemy-occupied" gas and oil platform off the coast of Carpinteria on Sunday as part of a training exercise to prepare the unit for deployment, according to Marine Corps officials.

Marines in CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters and inflatable boats were transported from the shore to the oil platform. Utilizing a fast-roping technique in which Marines slide down ropes attached to the deck of a helicopter, the raid team met with others who climbed the oil platform's ladders to infiltrate the objective.

Three weeks ago, elements of the 11th MEU on Camp Pendleton's Red Beach then raided a mock town built by the base.

The 11th MEU will continue training operations at various locations in California through July 21, including Naval Base Ventura's Point Mugu, Camp San Luis Obispo, Vandenberg School on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Rose Valley, Santa Maria Airfield and the Port of Long Beach.   

Scheduled to deploy to the Pacific and Middle East regions in the fall, the 11th MEU is composed of different ground, air and amphibious units that operate together as a single readiness force.

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