Training challenges Marines to balance mission with search for IEDs
CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan (March 23, 2007) -- More than 40 Marines with 2nd Platoon, Motor Transportation Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 4 participated in convoy operations training March 15-18 in the Central Training Area.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B41E7F61720938A1852572A700065AD8?opendocument
March 23, 2007
By Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein, MCB Camp Butler
The training focused on teaching the Marines how to respond to improvised explosive devices and enemy personnel while completing mission objectives, according to 1st Lt. Kassandra C. Babin, the 2nd platoon commander with Motor Transportation Co.
The majority of Marines running the scenarios were Iraq veterans, and a lot of the training came from lessons learned there, said Cpl. Rodolfo R. Ortiz, a motor vehicle operator and an instructor during the training.
"This training allows us to teach (other Marines) from our own personal experience," Ortiz said. "We're teaching them exactly how things happen out there."
Before each scenario, the Marines received a brief from Babin on their mission, potential enemy threats and the rules of engagement.
Marines also reviewed the importance of organization during a convoy.
"If you go out with a convoy that's disorganized, it could turn into a real slaughterhouse," said Cpl. Clarence W. Burnette, a motor vehicle operator. "You have to know which trucks go in which order and where the crew-served weapons go."
As the Marines drove along the roads in the CTA, they encountered potential enemies. They followed rules of engagement and escalation of force procedures to disarm personnel with minimal force.
"We want to make sure the Marines can tell the difference between threatening and non-threatening situations," Babin said.
When confronted with simulated IEDs, the Marines stopped their convoys, searched for other potential dangers in the area and called in detailed reports of location and type of explosive device.
If the Marines failed to locate an IED it would detonate, launching a white, smokeless powder. The Marines responded with immediate action drills to assess the situation, recover casualties and equipment and eliminate enemy threats.
"It's important to do this so we know how to react and get out of these situations," Babin said.
Marines also trained to establish defensive perimeters around landing zones in support of close air support casualty evacuations and trained with night vision goggles.
"The best thing we can do for our Marines is make sure they get the knowledge now, so they don't get blindsided," Ortiz said.