Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. -- On the morning of July 23, the voice of Staff Sgt. Robert L. McClures, motor transport chief and platoon sergeant, 2nd platoon, Motor Transport Company A, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, shattered the silence at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms' Camp Wilson, Calif.

"Our mission ... " McClures bellowed as 30 Marines with CLB-3's Motor Transport Company A listened attentively. " ... is to conduct a combat logistics patrol. In a 10-vehicle convoy, we will carefully and expeditiously deliver cargo to (3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment) with 100 percent equipment accountability and a safe return for all personnel."

McClures' mission brief for the Expeditionary Logistics Exercise outlined CLB-3's plan for providing logistical support to several units participating in the Enhanced Mojave Viper pre-deployment training exercise. The training is a two week, dual-purpose exercise designed to give much-needed provisions to EMV-participating units and to provide CLB-3 personnel with logistical skills they will need while deployed.

For nearly two months, approximately 700 Marines and sailors with CLB-3 have been conducting a wide range of unit-specific pre-deployment training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

Adding to the exercise's complexity, CLB-3 had to train for the first time as a consolidated battalion after more than 400 Marines and sailors augmented from Okinawa joined the unit.

When CLB-3 arrived at the Combat Center for EMV earlier this month, their mission was to continue and complete their pre-deployment training as well as provide logistical support to other units.

"At (EMV), we're tasked with providing direct combat service support to [various units]," said Capt. Everett Ledman, company commander, Motor Transport Company A.

"We're training just like we would operate in (Afghanistan). This training is important because it gives us (more) time to integrate the Okinawa- and Hawaii-based Marines as one operational team," said Ledman.

According to McClures, CLB-3's pre-deployment training and their logistical support are equally important.

"(Combat service support) is what we'll be doing in country - re-supply missions are our bread and butter," McClures said. "However, both [combat service support missions] and pre-deployment training are necessary in order to give us the tools we need to function in (Afghanistan)."

For the majority of CLB-3's motor transport Marines, combat service support training is great because it allows them to become more acquainted with their new team and get practice before they get on the battlefield, said Sgt. Jimmie Johnson, logistics vehicle operator, 2nd platoon, Motor Transport Company A.

"Just like anything, at first (the integration) had its problems," Johnson said. "But we worked out the kinks and are now operating as a functional unit."

The Marines and sailors of CLB-3 are scheduled to complete their EMV pre-deployment training in early August. The unit is slated to deploy to Afghanistan this fall in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.