To serve and protect: PMO trains to save lives

Photo By Sgt. Isaac Ibarra | Lance Cpl. Christian J. Christopoulos, left, and Cpl. Tyler C. Stampes, hold security as the rest of the Special Reaction Team moves toward the simulated active shooter Nov. 20 at Camp Courtney’s Commissary. The simulated shooter was first engaged by military policemen and later handled by SRT when the shooter became a barricaded suspect. Christopoulos is from Parker, Colorado, and Stampes is from Bakersfield, California. Both Marines are with SRT, Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.27.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Isaac Ibarra                

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan —In the previous 14 years, more than 160 active shooter instances have occurred resulting in casualties in communities throughout the U.S. Military installations are also susceptible to these types of emergencies. As first responders, military police must remain ready to keep their community safe and respond to all types of emergencies.

Military policemen with the Provost Marshal’s Office responded to an active shooter and barricaded suspect training scenario Nov. 20 at Camp Courtney’s Post Exchange and Commissary to practice their tactical skills.

The training began when PMO responded to the call of an active shooter, supported by Camp Guard. The PMO Special Reaction Team was called in as follow-on support when the active shooter became a barricaded suspect.

“Today the active shooter response exercise was put in place to both ensure and evaluate our readiness for an operation,” said 1st Lt. Paul R. Johnson, a watch commander with PMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

“This is also to ensure the coordination amongst camp guard, SRT, and PMO is sound.”

The exchange and commissary provided an accurate training environment of where military policemen could possibly operate in an active shooter scenario, according to Staff Sgt. Gerardo D. Casillas, a patrol supervisor with PMO.

Camp Courtney’s Camp Guard also participated in the drill by providing a security element to assist PMO.

“Camp guard assisted the military police throughout the situation by forming a security perimeter, so the military policemen can go inside and restrain the active shooter,” said Casillas, from Hillsboro, Oregon.

The Marines train in combat towns in similar evolutions, but the commissary and exchange provided a new environment to maintain their readiness.

“We went over the trends of active shooter incidences in the past, and analyzed any type of statistics that are relevant,” said Johnson. “We also go through the procedures of how to clear rooms, maintain proper communications, and how to handle and interview witnesses.”

Multiple volunteers, including service members, participated in the event to role-play as shoppers to bring another element of realism to the training.

“The exercise went well; they trained and learned from their mistakes in the environment, so that way they don’t make them,” said Eugene Warfield, from Tucson, Arizona, the anti-terrorism officer for Camp Courtney. “Overall, the Provost Marshall, the military and civilian volunteers did a great job.”

• Date Taken: 11.27.2014
• Date Posted: 11.27.2014 06:06
• Story ID: 149001
• Location: OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: HARRISONBURG, LOUISIANA, US
• Hometown: HILLSBORO, ALABAMA, US
• Hometown: TUCSON, ARIZONA, US