2nd MLG Marines complete urban simulation training, prepare for Iraq
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (July 28, 2006) – While walking down a road within the confines of a deserted town, Marines hold their M-16 A2 rifles at the ready and remain alert as they pass through a dangerous area with a high probability of an enemy ambush.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/C5B38FCC1DF8E583852571B90049070F?opendocument
July 28, 2006; Submitted on: 07/28/2006 09:17:39 AM
Story ID#: 200672891739
By Cpl. Joel Abshier, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
Sweat and hunger rolls through them, however, to stay alive the Marines push on without complaint and maintain their stride as they scan the buildings up and down.
“Contact left!” shouts a Marine at the sounds of enemy fire from a nearby building.
Without hesitation, the Marines from all squads react to the ambush and set up a defensive perimeter while Marines, one by one, enter the house to begin clearing and eliminating the hostile threat.
Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group learned how to patrol, enter buildings, clear rooms and maintain themselves in an urban environment during a Basic Urban Combat Training course here, July 24 through 28.
“This is the premier Military Operations Urban Terrain facility on the eastern coast,” said Cpl. Lucas C. Wagner, a BUST instructor with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division Training Center. “We have had everyone from the (Marine Corps) band to infantry doing spin ups in the BUST course before deploying to Iraq. Foreign military, such as the Czechoslovakians, Dutch and Canadians, (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the Jacksonville SWAT team have also been through this course.”
During the week-long course, Marines attended classes, performed practical applications and conducted live-fire ambush and sniper simulations, all within the blocks of a town built to train Marines for urban warfare.
“We were in Iraq last year and we are not infantry,” said Lance Cpl. Brian Jaques, a combat cameraman with CLR-27, 2nd MLG. “We found ourselves in situations where having basic infantry skills would have been good.”
Although 2nd MLG Marines are not well known for kicking down doors, this training does provide insight on how to react when receiving enemy fire whether patrolling in a city or not.
“A perfect example is if a convoy gets small arms fire from a nearby house,” Wagner explained. “Using the knowledge from this course, the Marines in the convoy will be able to react, move in and surround the house, ultimately eliminating the threat.”
Using the crawl, walk, run method, Marines who have not had previous infantry training, besides Marine Combat Training after recruit training, experienced the way of life that is lead in the field. Sleeping, eating and working from sunrise to sunset, the training proved beneficial to the Marines heading to Iraq.
“I was involved with similar things when I was in Iraq the first time,” admitted Lance Cpl. Mikey J. O’Brian, a combat cameraman with CLR-27, 2nd MLG. “However, I didn’t have the knowledge then that I have now. I never realized how much of a liability someone can be if they never had any formal training in urban warfare.”
The final two days of training consisted of live simulation rounds to illustrate the gravity of combat.
“On average, all units who come through here are on the same level when they finish,” Wagner said. “I’m confident with every course I see because I know they finish with the basic skills used to properly breach a house.”
Many Marines with 2nd MLG are rarely offered the opportunity to attend this course because of the constant requests from other units who routinely travel outside the wire.
“I am glad we were able to come out here,” said O’Brian, who was covered in dirt and sweat after participating in a practical application of reacting to an ambush. “It’s nice to get out of the office. Now, if I could make this experience any better, it would be a nice warm shower.”
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