Who can really stop Task Force Gladiator?
Submitted by: 24th MEU
Story Identification #: 200242914172
Story by Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon



CAMP LEJEUNE,N.C. (April 22, 2002) -- "Who can really stop Task Force Gladiator?" This question was posed by Capt. Jeffery C. Holt, commanding officer, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, before a night raid during the Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) raid week April 15-18.

"No one" proved to be the answer to the rhetorical question, as the two Weapons Company elements named "Task Force Gladiator" successfully completed four raids including three at night on objectives located throughout Camp Lejeune.

"The purpose of this week was to help us employ all of our assets and join CAAT and LAR together," said Sgt. Glenn D. Wells, platoon guide, LAR Plt. "I think the raids were awesome. Most went as planned and even with the night raids adding confusion, we all pulled together and got through them successfully."

The week began for the Task Force Gladiator Marines with classes that covered the definition of a raid, proper field first aid techniques and proper handling of enemy prisoners of war. After the classes, the Marines had the chance to do some practical application with the knowledge they had learned.

Later, the Marines rehearsed some raid scenarios and got ready for their first raid, which would go the following day.

Following the daytime raid, the Marines turned right around and completed their first night raid.

After each raid the Marines would gather with the instructors from the Special Operations Training Group and have guided discussions over every aspect of the raid including planning, preparation and execution.

"It was great to get an outside perspective from the SOTG Marines," said Wells. "There is only so much the Marines participating in the raids can say about themselves and being critiqued from outside really helps us see what's going on."

With two raids already under their belts the Weapons Co. Marines then set their sights on a second night raid. This time, they were allowed more time for planning and rehearsals and use of other elements such as their Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) team.

"The night raids really kept us on out toes," said Wells. "But, our STA guys did a great job of getting us (intelligence) back about the enemy on the objective."

Finally, with one raid left the go the Marines packed up and began planning and reconnaissance on the final objective. This time the raid would be different. The first three raids were done on objectives located in the woods or in open areas. This time the raid would be conducted in a fenced-in compound.
But even that couldn't hinder the capabilities of Task Force Gladiator, who rolled through the objective with the same ferocity as the first three and quickly completed their mission.

"These raids were great for us to break down and use our standing operating procedures," said Wells. "The best part was it allowed everyone to know exactly what to do at all times."

"I think we came a long way during the week," said Cpl. Orlando Perez, scout, LAR Plt. "It would have been good to do a couple more but I think we all learned a lot."