UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

EXPEDITIONARY WARFARE TRAINING GROUP, PACIFIC

N571 DEPARTMENT
3423 GUADALCANAL ROAD
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92155-5099

LESSON PLAN

OFFLOAD PREPARATION PARTY (OPP)

MPF 12

MARITIME PREPOSITIONING FORCE (MPF) STAFF PLANNING

N20L8QM

REVISED 07/01/2008

APPROVED BY _______________________ DATE ______________________

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INTRODUCTION (3 MIN)

1. GAIN ATTENTION.

(Slide 1)

Why is it so important for the ship and equipment to be prepared for offload?
How are the ships loaded?

(Slide 2)

2. OVERVIEW. During this lesson we will discuss:

• Purpose

• Organization

• Responsibilities

• Command Relationships

• Disestablishment

• Planning Consideration

(Slide 3)

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES (LESSON PURPOSE)

This slide depicts the lesson purpose which is to provide the student with
information concerning the mission, function, and responsibility of the Off-load
Preparation Party.

a. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES. With the aid of a reference, the student

will be able to provide the mission, function and responsibility of the OPP in
accordance with MCWP 3-32.

b. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

(1) With the aid of a reference, explain the organization, purpose, and
responsibilities of the OPP in accordance with MCWP 3-32.

(2) With the aid of a reference, explain

the command relationship and disestablishment of the OPP in accordance with MCWP
3-32.

(3) With the aid of a reference, explain the planning consideration

involved of OPP in accordance with MCWP 3-32.

INSTRUCTOR NOTE. Take a minute to read over your TLOs and ELOs. Once everyone
looks up I will know when to begin.

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4. METHOD/MEDIA. This period of instruction will be given using the

informal lecture method aided by a powerpoint presentation.

5. EVALUATION. You will be evaluated during the practical application on

training day 4 and 5.

6. SAFETY/CEASE TRAINING (CT) BRIEF. N/A

(Slide 4)These are the references associated with the lecture.

TRANSITION. Are there any questions about what we will be covering, how we
will cover it, or how you will be evaluated? Good, now let’s discuss OPP.
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(Slide 5)

BODY (45 MIN)

Key word is “temporary task organization”. There is no command named OPP.

The OPP is a team of personnel from various units that have been tasked with a
common mission. In this case, the mission is to prepare the ship and equipment
for offload. Once that has been achieved, the team is absorbed into another
task organization or returns to their unit.

(Slide 6)

Based on the above graph, how many ships are being prepared for offload?

(Slide 7)

The rank of the OPP OIC varies on the scope and scale of the offload but it is
typically a CDR or LCDR. The OPP OIC will be the XO or CO from ACU, Naval
Beach Group, or ACB.

(Slide 8)

Depending on the size and scope of the offload, the AOIC will be a Captain. (O-
3) Could be the MEF MPF embark officer.

(Slide 9)

Remember the OPP is a task organization so the personnel on the OPP will switch
hats and have a position on the Debark Team.
(Slide 10)

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This picture depicts the challenges of crane operations. The personnel on the
decks are the “eyes and ears” of the crane operator. He controls the movement
and speed of the crane based on their signals.

(Slide 11)

This picture shows a young Marine as he awaits commands for movement of an AAV.

(Slide 12)

Are there any questions?

(Slide 13)

Much of the handling equipment is containerized or stored to prevent corrosion?

(Slide 14)

Remember the pictures from the MPSRON lesson. Much of the equipment has been
preserved or put in a condition of readiness that prevents corrosion and extends
the life of the equipment. This may mean that equipment has been packaged and
stored like crew served weapons. Or certain parts get disassociated and stored
in different parts of the ship from original equipment like batteries.

The equipment is not typically fueled to maximum capacity but rather just enough
to get the piece of equipment to respective AAOEs.

(Slide 15)

If you have to prioritize equipment for preparation, which would you pick?
Answer: As listed from top to bottom. With the cranes and stern ramp, it
would not be possible to offload the ships. Although the equipment and
supplies ultimately provide the combat power of the MAGTF, the ship cargo
handling systems is the most important item while conducting preparation for
offload.

(Slide 16)

Is this OPP or Debark Team members?

(Slide 17)

The MAGTF commander’s warfighting priorities drive the offload plans and
therefore the priority of preparation of equipment by the OPP.

(Slide 18)

The COR is MCMC (Marine Corps Marine Contractor) from BIC. He is the link
between the MPSRON and BIC contractors division. He ensures MCMC are
performing work as contracted as well as providing necessary material and repair
support needed from BIC.

(Slide 19)

Once again, he is a civilian and not active duty.

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(Slide 20)

Up until this point, we have discussed the 36-month MMC. Would you want to use
equipment that has been sitting on a ship for 36-months? It may have been used
for an exercise and has only been sitting for 12 months. Either way, equipment
needs to maintenanced on a regular basis and hence the Contractor Maintenance
Team.

(Slide 21)

The CMT will do their best to provide work listed in the statement of work.
Remember that due to administrative loading and space limitations, the
contractors may be limited to in providing extensive maintenance.

(Slide 22)

• Statement of work

– Maintenance of technical libraries

– Operation and maintenance of required supply and maintenance systems

– Maintenance of applicable equipment manual records

(Slide 23)

The CMT is a great resource of knowledge for the OPP and Debark Team. They
live and work on the ship and have worked on most of the equipment so they are
very familiar.

(Slide 24)

Are there any questions?

(Slide 25)

Remember, the OPP team plus personnel from the beach form the Debark team.

(Slide 26)

This picture shows Debark Team members in a MPF utility boat heading to the ship
to assist in the offload.

(Slide 27)

When you think Debark Team, do you think Marines or Sailors? Contrary to what
you see on Amphibious Warships, the majority of the Debark Team is Sailors.
Lighterage and cargo handling personnel are the majority of the Debark Teams.

(Slide 28)

The first load of an instream offload is a D7 Dozer and a Kalmar. Why?

(Slide 29)

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This is a picture of a Kalmar being offload from a cargo hold. MHEs are
typically loaded near the stern ramp and under the hatch covers.

(Slide 30)

This picture shows a LVS with a mobile load being lifted out of hold. This is
one of many slings that the Cargo Handling Team utilizes for equipment offload.

(Slide 31)

This picture shows the offload of a LMSR via the RRDF. You will also notice a
legacy causeway barge loaded with heavy armor. To the right and left are SLWT.

(Slide 32)

These are notional time requirements for the debark team. Increased sea state
will extend the time needed to complete these tasks.

(Slide 33)

How many racks does MPF have? Will all the racks be utilized by MAGTF and NSE
personnel? How many hours should be the OPP team be given to prepare the ship
for offload? The OPP’s time is consumed and/or by other activities onboard the
ship besides equipment preparation: safety and orientation briefs, crew rest,
severe weather, jet lag, etc. This is why the OPP team should be given maximum
time on the ship.

(Slide 34)

Listed on this slide as other personnel from other organizations that will
embark and form the OPP.

(Slide 35)

You will notice the OPP is very enlisted heavy. Very few officers are needed
because the majority of the work is maintenance and movement.

(Slide 36)

Are there any questions?

SUMMARY (1 MIN)

This class has covered

Offload Preparation Party (OPP) organization, responsibilities, command
relationships, disestablishments, and planning considerations.

REFERENCES:

1. MCWP 3-32/NTTP 3-02.3, Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Operations

2. TM 4790-14/2A, Logistic Support for Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF)
Program Maintenance and Material Management

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ATTACHMENTS:

1. Attachment A, Notional OPP.

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