File:CBIRF proves their ability to mobilize by sea aboard LCACs 160420-M-QB428-012.jpg

English: QUANTICO, Va. – Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, CBIRF, sharpened its skills to respond to a variety of contingencies by conducting waterborne mobility operations with Landing Craft Air Cushion, or LCACs, assigned to Navy Assault Craft Unit Four, ACU-4, to rehearse transportation of an Initial Response Force, or IRF, from Naval Annex Stump Neck to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., April 20, 2016.

To begin the training, the IRF received LCAC safety and familiarization briefs given by the sailors of ACU-4. Shortly after, CBIRF conducted equipment and safety checks, loaded their equipment and vehicles on the LCACs, and traveled on the LCACs to the landing site aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. “We transported several vehicles, with drivers and (assistant) drivers, and the IRF commander on the LCACs,” said Staff Sgt. Luis A. Ochoa, an embarkation Marine and logistics chief for the IRF. It is definitely important to practice, give the Marines the opportunity to familiarize themselves with LCACs and validate our ability to get the vehicles on the LCAC.” When directed, CBIRF forward-deploys and/or responds with minimal warning to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) threat or event in order to assist local, state, or federal agencies and the geographic combatant commanders in the conduct of CBRNE response or consequence management operations, providing capabilities for command and control; agent detection and identification; search, rescue, and decontamination; and emergency medical care for contaminated personnel. (Official USMC Photos by Sgt. Santiago G. Colon Jr./Released)

Unit: Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF)