11th MEU TRAP Team preps for deployment
FIRE BASE GLORIA, MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (June 15, 2007) -- Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are taking part in a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) course offered by the I Marine Expeditionary Force Special Operations Training Group, here.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4684F98FD14D4237852572FB00724E50?opendocument
June 15, 2007; Submitted on: 06/15/2007 04:48:31 PM ; Story ID#: 2007615164831
By - 11th MEU Public Affairs
The course, which began June 11 and will continue thru June 22, consists of classroom lecture and practical application designed to train personnel in the pertinent areas of TRAP in preparation for the MEU’s deployment later this year.
Some of the topics covered during the training are specialized recovery tactics, urban recovery planning, platoon evasion, helicopter hazards and destruction, casualty handling, and day/night recovery practical applications.
According to Staff Sgt. Stephen R. Marshall, chief TRAP instructor, I MEF SOTG, the first week of the course was spent in the classroom covering everything from mission planning and equipment to mission execution.
"During the second week the Marines are given back-to-back missions during the day and night," said Marshall.
The mission of the TRAP team can range from personnel recovery to destruction of downed aircraft upon recovery of the aircrews, said Marshall.
The TRAP force consists of 22 Marines and two corpsmen, all of whom are capable of fast roping into a mission site. Added personnel with specific training such as demolitions also allow the team to complete missions that may require destroying an aircraft.
According to Marshall, the Marines are given a variety of operational scenarios ranging from performing missions in different terrains to completing missions in a nuclear, biological and chemical threat area.
The learning curve for the course is extremely steep, according to participants.
"The instructors throw a lot of stuff at you in the two weeks," said 23-year-old Cpl. Robert M. Ruiz, team leader, TRAP Force, 11th MEU. "The course is very realistic. I've learned that accountability of your Marines and gear and rehearsals are very important."
The scenarios begin fairly simple with no enemy present and rapidly increase in difficulty with the last exercise being in a mountain environment. Marines taking the course found the fast pace challenging.
"Having to learn that way forces you to remember the information a lot easier and it forces you to pay close attention to the instructors," said Sgt. Jared J. Lovell, team leader, TRAP Force, 11th MEU.
According to 1st Lt. Ed D. Hinman, TRAP Force platoon commander, the instructors at SOTG are doing a good job challenging the Marines.
"They are putting them in difficult situations forcing them to really think and use initiative," said Hinman.
According to Marshall, the Marines are answering the instructors' challenge.
"This unit is being extremely proactive and the MEU is also being extremely proactive by giving extra guidance and assistance,” said Marshall. “They are really preparing themselves for the eventuality that they would have to do these missions."