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ADAZI, Latvia — Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment learned life-saving convoy operations tactics from the Estonian army during a two-week multi-national combined exercise during Saber Strike 2012.
"Today we practiced convoy-operations with our true allies, the American Marines,” said 1st Lt. Madis Koosa, an operations officer with the Estonian Army. “We tried different situations: contact drills, medical evacuation and interacting with the locals.”
The Pennsylvania-based unit also maneuvered armored vehicles through a forest battle space that was riddled with mock-improvised explosive devices and small arms fire from an unknown enemy role-played by the Estonians.
“The thing is, that the Marine units were sent here, because not all of them have been to Afghanistan,” Koosa said. “This means, that the units aren't 100 percent team-wise.”
However, Koosa and his soldiers had a great expanse of knowledge to share with the Marines when it comes to preparing for deployments in Afghanistan. Most Estonians soldiers have served in Afghanistan under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
“It's quite obvious, that there are some guys, that haven't done any of the procedures previously,” he said. “But there were not any problems with that. Maybe we ourselves confirm with these drills, that we do them the same way, as other allied units. It just means, that if we're together in NATO, we have the same understanding of things, as other countries and are able to execute them the same way."
The Marines agreed. Most Marines thought there wasn’t much difference between them and the Estonians tactic-wise.
“Really, they were the same tactics that we do,” said Cpl. Josiah D. Eby, a squad leader assigned to 1st Platoon. “They were able to throw us into different situations and we were able to hone those skills ”
He and his platoon had to deal with a complex ambush that rendered some of his troops wounded and one of their convoy trucks immobile. The Marines had to respond to “the enemy’s” assault.
“We took small arms fire from the left and right sides of the road,” said the 26-year-old Afghanistan veteran from Columbus, Ohio. “We dismounted two squads and had to assault through objectives and had a Battle Damage Assessment of two enemy KIA. We were able to fix the casualty and rig the vehicle for tow and proceeded to rush within the kill zone.”
Although the exercise was not real, the Marines felt a sense of accomplishment. Many of them said they were ready to take on the next challenge.
“This was good for the junior Marines that weren’t able to deploy and field experience,” Eby said. “They were able to get out there and see what threats were out there and react to them proficiently.”
The Marines soon realized that they were on the same page as the Estonians as far as tactics and Standard Operating Procedures.
“The experience was good, “Said Sgt. Marc A. Chieffallo, a 23-year-old squad leader from Pittsburgh assigned to 2nd Platoon. “Every country has their own SOPs… but it is just hearing what another country does is good because you can pickup something that you may have forgot.”
Kilo Company is comprised of some war-seasoned Marines who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan where convoy operations were a regular occurrence. However, the veterans said it was good to receive a refresher course.
“We learned a couple of new ideas,” said Cpl. Michael J. Lesko, a 22-year-old fire team leader from Youngstown, Ohio assigned to 3rd Platoon. “I think it went very well.
We got a lot accomplished as far as training goes. It’s good to work with the newer guys. The platoon level operation gave them tips to learn their weaknesses so we can see where we need to help them.”
The Marines said working with the Estonians has taught them about a larger level of teamwork and also a couple things about themselves. Cpl. Abraham M. Abbitt of 2nd platoon said he learned how initiative could save the day if one of his leaders isn’t able to continue the fight.
“Even if my squad leader is tied up in other things, I’d be able to continue on with the mission,” said 20-year-old fire team leader and Afghanistan veteran from Plymouth, Ohio. “It also helped developed small unit leadership.”
“Everything we've done, are the same procedures that the Americans use, “ Koosa said. “So, it really doesn't matter, if the instructors are Estonian or from any other country.”
Koosa thought the Marines were satisfied with he and his soldiers’ instruction. Eby echoed that sentiment.
“I think it went really smooth,” he said. “Marines did well under pressure.“
Saber Strike 2012 is a multinational, tactical field training and command post exercise that involves more than 2,000 personnel from the U.S. Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, the 4th U.S. Marine Division, the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian armed forces, with contingents from Canada, Finland, France and the U.K. The exercise, led by U.S. Army Europe, is designed to enhance joint and combined interoperability between the U.S. Forces and partner nations, and will help prepare participants to operate successfully in a joint, multinational, interagency, integrated environment.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2012 13:33 |
| Story ID: | 90246 |
| Location: | ADAZI, RIGA, LV |
| Web Views: | 487 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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