A suction hose moves water pulled from the
ocean to the tactical water purification system where the salt will be
removed and it will pass through a series of filters making it safe to
drink. (Photo by Pfc. Mike Granahan)
By Pfc. Mike Granahan, U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific
Sattahip, Kingdom of Thailand - As waves crash onto the beach in
Sattahip, Kingdom of Thailand, one may see the ocean as a way to escape
the intense heat, but that does not quite quench their thirst. However,
U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Logistics Group turn the salty liquid into
hydrating fresh water.
As part of their responsibilities during exercise Cobra Gold 2013,
Marines from 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force, purified salt
water Feb. 10 to provide clean water to multinational participants at
many locations throughout Thailand.
The exercise is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored multinational, multiservice
exercise that includes forces from Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, Japan,
the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and observers from other
countries in the region.
U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Logistics Group
operate a water purification system Feb. 10 in Sattahip, to provide
clean water to multinational participants at various locations
throughout Thailand during exercise Cobra Gold 2013. (Photo by Pfc. Mike
Granahan)
Water purification is essential to successful operations during the
exercise, explained U.S. Marine Cpl. Omar E. Montero, a water support
technician with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd MLG.
“The system is capable of producing up to 1,500 gallons of fresh water
per hour, providing an invaluable resource to Marines in the field,”
said Montero.
Using a tactical water purification system, the Marines are able to
purify the water. It is a device that pulls salt water from the ocean,
removes the salt through a process called reverse osmosis, and then runs
it through a system of filters making it safe to drink, added Montero.
The purification process is perfected to the point where the purified
saltwater is comparable to bottled water.
“It’s been tested before,” said Montero. “I pulled water from the
Helmand River in Afghanistan, and it was fresher than the bottled water
we had.”
U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Logistics Group
lay out a suction where it will move water pulled from the ocean to the
tactical water purification system. (Photo by Pfc. Mike Granahan)
The ocean is so vast that through the system it provides a virtually
endless supply of fresh water wherever personnel may need it, enabling
the expeditionary nature of the Marine Corps, according to U.S. Staff
Sgt. Fantasia O. Langford, a basic electrician with 9th ESB.
“Anywhere there is water, we can provide clean water,” said Langford.
Providing clean water is vital to operations, especially in an
environment like Thailand.
“This is important because without fresh water successful operations
cannot occur,” said U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Erick M. Mechelhoff, a basic
electrician with 9th ESB.
