Government shutdown or not, the local Marines are planning a major training exercise this month in Beaufort, S.C., to test “warfighter readiness and lethality” that could result in delays to the public trying to access the base.
The base-wide “Force Protection Exercise” is planned over multiple days this month, the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort announced on Friday.
The training exercise is not in response to any specific threat but rather a routine exercise supporting the Department of War’s commitment to the safety and security of personnel, families and neighboring communities, the Marines said.
“While this is only a drill, it is essential for the air station's warfighter readiness and lethality,” the Marines said in a news release. “Awareness of the event is intended to enhance public safety and protect property during the drill.”
The exercise comes just days after a Sept. 30 address by War Secretary Pete Hegseth to generals and admirals at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va. in which he announced the Trump administration’s plan to revamp military culture and training. During the address, Hegseth said, “From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win.”
David J. Trail, the director of external relations Marine Air Station Beaufort, told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet Friday that this month’s training isn’t a response to the Hegseth speech.
“This has been in planning for months,” Trail said.
The drill also comes during a federal government shutdown that’s affecting personnel on military bases.
At Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Port Royal, 133 nonessential civilian personnel have been furloughed. The Trump administration has said it is possible that furloughed employees could lose their jobs depending on how long the shutdown lasts. Trail, of the Marine Corps Air Station and Beaufort, said he could not say whether employees at that base had been furloughed. The War Department had not responded to an inquiry as of noon Friday.
Local marines do force protection exercises every year and they are a little different each time, Trail said.
The Marines would not disclose the training dates.
“We don’t want that information getting out so the Marines we’re testing can’t game the game,” Trail said.
During the exercise, community members may notice:
- Increased security measures and possible delays when entering the installation
- Use of loudspeakers or mass notification systems
- Temporary traffic changes-at any point approaching or aboard the Installation
- Presence of emergency vehicles or personnel conducting training activities
The exercises may cause brief disruptions for the public trying to access the base.
Col. Trevor Felter, MCAS Beaufort’s commanding officer, asked the public to use caution around the base as conditions may quickly change, and for patience.
“These exercises are essential to our mission, sharpen our air station's readiness, and ensure that we can continue to support II MEF’s mission requirements,” Felter said. “We’re committed to being transparent and minimizing disruptions while preparing for the unexpected.”
Force protection exercises can be specific to military police, all Marine Corps personnel and specialized training in antiterrorism, according to the Marines.
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