Vice Adm. John Miller, commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Combined Maritime Forces, speaks to Marines from 6th Force Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Platoon, Charlie FAST Company, before their departure from Bahrain following a 7-month deployment in theater. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Bryan Blair/Released)
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain — Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Platoon, Marines close the book on a 7-month deployment in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) later this month .
The Marines of 6th Platoon, Charlie FAST Company from the Marine Corps Security Force Company (MCSFCO) will return to Naval Station Norfolk, Va. and will be replaced by another team of FAST Marines from 6th Platoon.
Since arriving in the AOR in early September, FAST Marines have supported and completed numerous missions to include security augmentation at the U.S. embassy in Yemen and an exchange with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Marine Corps Capt. George Fenton, platoon commander, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the FAST Marines.
“I’ve never had the pleasure of working with such a dedicated group of Marines,” said Fenton. “Their personal drive to constantly do better and be better is truly phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys.”
Vice Adm. John Miller, commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet, offered parting words to the company.
“You are a unique group of Marines that have accomplished a lot of unique missions in this theater,” said Miller. “You have been instrumental in our continuing success in this part of the world, and we really can’t thank you enough. You’re now getting a well-deserved trip home and we couldn’t be more proud.”
NAVCENT is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Indian Ocean and 20 countries.