MCIOC Marines return home

By Capt. Brian Villiard, MCIOC Public Affairs, Marine Corps Information Operation Center MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. Four Marines from the Marine Corps Information Operations Center returned home Sept. 6 after a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. Information Operations planners, Maj. Steve Urrea, Capt. Peter Prikazsky, Capt. Thomas Nance, and Sgt. Matthew Weisler provided information operations support to Regional Command South West, based at Camp Leatherneck, from February to September 2012. These MCIOC Marines supported actions ranging from civil engagements to counter-narcotics and full-scale combat operations. It feels good to be home. It smells like home, said Nance. It was the best deployment Ive been on. We were able to integrate well with other components to get the job done. Its very good to have him home, said Jessica, Nances wife. Itll be nice to have the extra hands. MCIOC provides operational support by deploying Information Operations Planning and Military Information Support Teams to support Marine Air Ground Task Forces around the globe. Of the approximately 100 Marines assigned to MCIOC, 19 are currently assigned to support operations. In modern conflicts and contingencies, information can wield as much effect as a kinetic round, and MCIOC Marines are trained and equipped to help commanders dominate the information environment. Col. Christopher Naler, the commanding officer of MCIOC, voiced his pleasure with the safe return of his Marines and his commitment to continue to provide support to operational commanders. Its always good to see Marines come home safe and sound to their families and the command, said Naler. Since the center was established a little over three years ago, MCIOC has provided support to major operations in Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan and a number of other Marine Corps missions around the globe. We currently have Marines supporting OEF, the 24th and 15th [Marine Expeditionary Units], Special Purpose MAGTFs, and will soon deploy our first Marines to support the 31st MEU. MCIOC is focused on providing commanders with the capability to influence and maneuver within the information environment.