Photo By Pvt. Aaron Fiala | Marines with 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, seal a bag with duct tape to prevent...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion oversaw training by 4th LEB during tactical site exploitation training aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 23, 2015.
Marines trained at the enhanced military operations in urban terrain site where they played the role of criminal investigators and looked for anything that could be classified as evidence, including weapons, improvised explosive devices and abnormal objects.
During this training the reservists from 4th LEB were shadowed by 2nd LEB active duty Marines. “It is important that we all get the same level of training,” said Staff Sgt. Mariah Johnson, a criminal investigator with 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion. “Our reservists need to be able to complete the same tasks just as efficiently as we can.”
Reservists can still get pulled for deployments and operations across the globe, so it is of the utmost importance that the Marine Corps’ reserves maintain operational readiness.
Normally infantry Marines would clear the town but in this simulation the village was already cleared of enemy forces. This allowed Marines with 4th LEB to immediately investigate the buildings and surrounding area. They searched the town one building at a time for weapons, IEDs, drugs and objects that were suspicious in nature.
“Marines can enter a room and discover evidence that links to somebody in the next village,” said Lance Cpl. Erik Bergh, a military policeman with 4th Law Enforcement Battalion. “Not only do we end enemy operations, but we start new tactical site exploitation operations somewhere else, which could lead us to the capture of a high priority target.”
Every structure was drawn as a blueprint to accurately document each building plan. This showed Marines what the rooms look like and where evidence has been found.
Marines also took pictures of the streets and houses for documentation. An outside shot identified the house that Marines entered and pictures of the inside were taken to verify the rooms and any evidence that was discovered in that house.
“We conduct searches for evidence of criminal activities as infantry Marines clear the buildings,” said Johnson. “We know what to look for and the proper procedure to follow through with, depending on what we find.”
Marines labeled each room they entered with a number, which made identifying a room with contraband easier to find.
During this training Marines discovered several small arms weapons, rocket propelled grenades and even drugs within the village. Anything the Marines decided was evidence was photographed and then bagged. They also wore plastic gloves to prevent the tampering of evidence.
Once the training ended, the Marines reviewed the evidence they gathered and discussed how they could use it to further gather information about who might be involved in the local area.
“Something as simple as collecting a finger print can start a web of investigations that lead to the capture of a high priority target,” Bergh said. “It’s good to know that what we are doing helps prevent IEDs from killing Marines and innocent civilians.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2015 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 168176 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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