Photo By Lance Cpl. Tyler Andersen | A Marine with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group conducted a cross-training field exercise with a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense detachment from Headquarters Regiment, 2nd MLG at EOD Training Area 2 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 25 and 26.
The two groups coordinated to complete a combined CBRN and explosives training package, which allowed the Marines to familiarize themselves with different types of explosive ordnance and CBRN threats. In addition, the exercise prepared the Marines to set up protective equipment and gave their leaders a chance to conduct command and control operations in a difficult collaborative environment, noted Master Sgt. Daniel Bogart, an EOD technician, with the 2nd EOD Company.
“Hands on training is very important and ensures the Marines understand what they’re doing when they face a real world scenario,” said Bogart. “We watch how CBRN works, understand what they’re doing, and we learn how to do it ourselves.”
During the field exercise, the Marines used a radiological training device, which simulated an improvised explosive device capable of spreading radiation. The training aid mimicked the same principles and firing systems as an IED, but represented the additional threat of a radiological hazard.
Marines with the CBRN team have the capability to test for a contaminated environment and react accordingly. If they identify a possible hazard, they can also determine the nature of the contamination, where it’s coming from, and if it can be mitigated in any way, noted Staff Sgt. Joshua Dargis, a training chief with the CBRN detachment.
“We are good with the chemical side, and they are good the explosive side,” said Dargis. “Our job is to make sure they are safe in the environment, and their job is to render the [device] inert and take away any kind of explosive threat.”
Technicians with 2nd EOD Company demonstrated methods to safely enter a door, maintaining a barrier between personnel and any dangerous ordnance. They also taught the CBRN Marines about the dangers from shockwaves produced after explosions.
Marines from CBRN helped contain and examine the area, putting their detection, protection and decontamination skills to work in support of the EOD technicians’ efforts to eliminate the explosive dangers. They also provided challenging training environments such as an area filled with CS gas, which has similar effects to tear gas.
“The most important part of the training is that we do what we claim we can do,” said Bogart. “These Marines learn and understand what their roles and responsibilities are. They need to know their equipment, and they need to be able to employ it. If we want to be what we claim we are, which is a worldwide, deployable, expeditionary force in readiness, you have to train to your highest potential standards, and maintain them.”
Maintaining command and control is one of the most challenging things about carrying out these types of operations in a real-world environment, noted Bogart. By closely working together in a training environment, the teams improve their ability to respond in an efficient, coordinated effort if the need ever arises.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2014 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 144215 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 168 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Unseen Threats: Marines train to defeat explosive devices in contaminated environments, by LCpl Tyler Andersen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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