Photo By Cpl. Jessica Aranda | Lance Cpl. Cathleene Ephgrave, an intelligence analyst with Marine Tactical Electronic...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Jessica Aranda
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)
HABBINIYAH, Iraq – As automatic rifles produce repeated pops at the slow-steady, squeeze of their triggers, the desert sun beats intently on the backs of Marines lying in the prone position, protected by a layer of combat gear. After unloading, they remove their helmets revealing a mess of untied hair and smartly sweep it back to regulated perfection.
The training excursion, outfitted to prepare them for increasing the security of Iraq's cities across the region, lasts a week and afterwards the Marines become a part of the Lioness Program.
The Lioness Program, an all-female search team, first started a few years ago to provide culturally-sensitive search methods to the Iraqi women, who account for approximately 50 percent of the country's population. The Lioness team consists of service members from several subordinate units of I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), including 1st Marine Logistics Group and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
"The mission of the Lioness program is to eliminate potential threats brought in by women," said Gunnery Sgt. Jeanette Fulgencio, the chief instructor for the program. "We are looking for weapons, any type of explosive device and large amounts of money."
The Lionesses work alongside of infantry units throughout al-Anbar province, posting at entry points to prevent any suspicious individuals from causing violence in the area.
Throughout the week of training, the Marines learn a variety of skills vital to their upcoming missions. Along with language classes from interpreters, the Marines practice take-down maneuvers from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, combat lifesaving techniques and put everything together at a mock control point.
"My favorite part of the training was definitely the control point," said Sgt. Tawni Miller, a generator mechanic with 1st Marine Headquarters Group, I MEF. "It opened my eyes to all the possible threats we could encounter."
For the most part, the Lioness Program is an all-volunteer duty, comprised of Marines from a myriad of job fields.
"I volunteered because I wanted to get as close to combat as I could," said Lance Cpl. Tiffany Jameson, a radio operator with 9th Communications Battalion, I MEF.
As the mission of the military continues transitioning to the roles of advisor and supervisor to the Iraqis, the mission of the Lionesses adjusts as needed. Recently, they have begun training Iraqi women to search other females entering the check points.
"Each day we are on post, we are teaching them and we are proving that we are not here to harm them," said Miller. "We're here to make their country a more peaceful place."
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2008 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 20437 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 124 |
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