http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=majstephenwpless&type=ContainerRollonRolloffShip

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/ac95bc775efc34c685256ab50049d458/159a7a3a07ea0d2b8525707d002828ca?OpenDocument&Highlight=2,Pless
Marines, sailors siege ship in mock conflict training

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200591531838
Story by Pfc. C. Warren Peace

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 16, 2005) -- The Pacific Ocean became the battleground for American service members during a mock conflict where they boarded and reclaimed a hijacked ship Sept. 9-11.

Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force conducted visit, board, search and seizure training aboard the SS Maj. Stephen W. Pless, a container and roll-on/roll-off ship, off the northwest coast of Okinawa.

"This training taught us how to engage vessels deemed hostile, or retake friendly ones and return them to the rightful owners," said Maj. Mike Wylie, MSPF commander.

III Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operation Training Group supervised, guided and evaluated the unit's performance throughout the evolution.

The first day, service members boarded the vessel, accounted for personnel and gear, and received a tour of the ship.

The next day, Wylie gave the 70-man MSPF element a briefing on the upcoming scenario and established a plan based on their standard operating procedures.

After the briefing, the unit divided into four, squad-sized groups on the ship's landing pad. This is where they collaborated as individual teams, ensuring all the team members understood their individual responsibilities during the training evolution.

For the remainder of the day, the service members conducted walk-throughs aboard the ship, allowing the members of the MSPF to resolve any discrepancies in their plan.

"Operations aboard a ship differ from other close-quarter encounters because it forces you to be more aware of 360 degrees of security," said Lance Cpl. Vic Madrillejos, a rifleman with the MSPF security element.

On the last day, the service members conducted force-on-force drills using special-effect small arms marking system ammunition.

A team of five SOTG Marines acted as aggressors, simulating a hostile force that had overtaken a friendly vessel, and the MSPF's mission was to reclaim the vessel and capture the suspected high-value targets.

Once the unit leaders ensured their Marines and sailors were prepared, they conducted multiple scenarios by reacting to armed and unarmed aggressors. They conducted three missions with varying objectives, lasting approximately 1.5 hours each.

During the missions, unit members subdued aggressors using varying degrees of force and took them prisoner whenever operational conditions dictated.

"The service members did very, very well," Wylie said. "This training allowed the Marines to transition from urban environments to other environments and it helped them gain an appreciation for (three-dimensional) combat."

ss Major Stephen W. Pless

Hello-
I am the daughter of Stephen Pless. I am interested in the information you found on the whereabouts of the ship. I have lost the Captain's e-mail address and am interested in staying in touch with them. Any information you find out would be sincerely appreciated. I can be reached through my e-mail address. Thank you in advance for your attention. Sincerely, Cynthia Pless.

Cynthia Pless wrote: Hello-
I am the daughter of Stephen Pless. I am interested in the information you found on the whereabouts of the ship. I have lost the Captain's e-mail address and am interested in staying in touch with them. Any information you find out would be sincerely appreciated. I can be reached through my e-mail address. Thank you in advance for your attention. Sincerely, Cynthia Pless.

Also sent this to your email.

I could not find a email for the ship's captian but the unit of which they are attached to, maybe be better depending on the turnover time.

Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three (MPSRON THREE)

http://www.msc.navy.mil/mpsthree/

Chief Staff Officer n01.mps3@mscafloat.msc.navy.mil

Command Chief n1.mps3@mscafloat.msc.navy.mil

Semper Fi,
Ryan