Photo By Jason Bortz | A role player is extracted as part of a training exercise conducted by Headquarters...... read more read more
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By Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bortz
Regimental Combat Team
The training is valuable for all Marines, regardless of their specific job in the Marine Corps.
Marines and Sailors with Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Regiment, conducted training operations here in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq from Sept. 17 - 21.
"We, Marines, can be confident when we go to Iraq," said Lance Cpl. Ace A. Beecher, a field radio operator with Headquarters Co., 5th Marine Regiment. "I can be prepared for what's going to happen out there."
The exercises started out with a day of classroom instruction that prepared the Marines for the next four days of hands-on training. Handling entry control points, combat marksmanship and convoy operations were among those topics covered by the training. To bring more of a bang to the training, pyrotechnics and actors were used.
"I wanted to have them exposed to basic scenarios they will encounter in Iraq," said Capt. Nathan L. Fenell, company commander, Headquarters Co.
Not knowing who was an enemy, entry control point training exercises kept Marines on their toes. Marines needed to stop and search vehicles and "Iraqis," who were actors speaking Arabic and dressed in Middle Eastern attire.
"You never know what someone might have on them out there," said Pfc. Justin C. Sailers, a 19-year-old vehicle operator with Motor Transport Platoon, Headquarters Co.
Role players drove and walked up to the Marines on guard, bringing either piece or chaos. The actors portrayed realistic reactions and emotions to the Marines, often having arguments with searching Marines. This gave Marines an idea of how Iraqis and themselves would react in real-world situations.
"Some of them were kind of crazy," Beecher said, who is from Jacksonville, N.C. "You've got to remain calm to not make the situation more hostile."
Training was blown to its peak when vehicles trying to pass through the entry control point with improvised explosive devices. During one simulation, Marines needed to react to an exploding vehicle injuring helpless "Iraqis" who were situated nearby screaming for help.
"You could feel the heat coming off of it," said Pfc. Clifton E. Connett, 19, of Columbus, Oh., and a field radio operator with Communications Platoon, Headquarters Co., when speaking about a detonated vehicle. "For training, it's pretty realistic."
Marines were fast to treat and evacuate any Iraqi civilians injured by attacks, who were driven to the established extraction point.
"I was impressed with how they reacted under stress for extracting the wounded civilians," Fenell said. "The NCO's (non-commissioned officers) really stepped up to make sure they were taken away quickly."
Evacuating Marines was the priority when it came to unexpected improvised explosive devices (IEDs) smothering the air with smoke during foot patrols. These would test Marines' reactions to IED's or mortars exploding near a squad performing a patrol. The set explosives would be remotely detonated when someone on the patrol would pass close by the device. Marines would then carry the victim to an extraction point.
"You don't think it's going to be you," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Orestes Martines, a Corpsman with Headquarters Co., and a 22-year-old from Miami. "It's very good training."
Multiple IED's and an angry mob brought the concluding convoy exercise to life. The Marines involved in the long convoy were required to react to the sudden attack. Service members practiced providing security for the targeted convoy.
One of the vehicles had an actual malfunction and was quickly repaired and moving as if it were a real situation.
Navy Corpsmen ran the show when those injured by the detonation were treated for their "wounds". Marines then needed to call in air support to evacuate the casualties.
"This provides them the opportunity to experience infantry training that is essential to survival in Iraq," Fenell said.
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2007 19:36 |
| Story ID: | 12552 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 158 |
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