MILITARY NEWS: DAVID J. MANSFIELD

Marine Cpl. David J. Mansfield, 1 995 graduate of Jackson High School, recently participated in a training exercise in Singapore while on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable, embarked aboard the ships of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

During the exercise, Mansfield received training on urban warfare techniques, rope rapelling, close-quarter battle, weapons and small unit fighting. The training was designed to sharpen the skills of the already capable MEU.

Home based in Camp Pendelton, Calif., Mansfield's unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. Mansfield's unit is divided into an infantry battalion, an aircraft squadron, a support group and a command element. With the combination of these teams, Mansfield's unit supplies and sustains itself for either quick mission accomplishment or clearing the way for follow-on forces.

In addition, the 15th MEU can evacuate civilians, rescue downed pilots, conduct reconnaissance and serve as an initial landing force ashore, providing the USS Essex ARG commanders with a wide range of capabilities.

Mansfield joined the Marine Corps in June 1995.