Military Police Conduct Military Operations on Urban Terrain Training

Photo By Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank | Marines with Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, clear a room during a field training exercise for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan at the 25 Area Military Operations on Urban Terrain town April 23 and 24. Marines trained through many scenarios in the MOUT town ranging from clearing rooms to encountering enemy snipers and improvised explosive devices. As the MPs conducted these training missions, they encountered opposition from insurgent role players.  

UNITED STATES

04.24.2009

Story by Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank 

1st Marine Logistics Group

Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a field training exercise for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan at the 25 Area Military Operations on Urban Terrain town April 23 and 24.

"The exercise is to simulate combat situations that Marines encounter in any theater of operation," said 2nd Lt. Christopher A. Robinson, platoon commander, Military Police Co., CLR-17. "Every place in the world has urban area."

To gain a better feel on the MOUT training, former Special Reaction Team members with MP Co. instructed their fellow Marines on how to shoot, move and communicate in an urban environment. The field MPs used Special Effects Small Arms Marking System rounds, similar to paintballs, to increase the realism of training.

"We're here to give the new Marines basic understanding of military operations on urban terrain and give the small unit leaders the opportunity to work with their troops and see how they perform," said Cpl. Jennifer A. Cooper, 22, Paisley, Ore., former SRT entry member, training non-commissioned officer, 3rd Platoon, MP Co.

Marines trained through many scenarios in the MOUT town ranging from clearing rooms to encountering enemy snipers and improvised explosive devices. As the MPs conducted these training missions, they encountered opposition from insurgent role players.

MP Co. received live demonstrations on how to use military working dogs in urban environments to gain an advantage of any situation while conducting missions.

"We came out here to make the Marines more comfortable and familiar with the dog teams," said Sgt. Tyler J. Corwin, combat tracker, Security Company, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. "We also give them a better understanding how to properly request the right dog for the right mission."

The dogs performed bomb searches, detainee escorting and attacking at the command of their handlers. The class of MPs were awed by how well the dogs operated.

"The military working dogs and their handlers are a force multiplier that's an extra specialty to support the mission," said Corwin, Arlington, Wash. "By requesting us, you're not losing a capable Marine, but gaining the asset of the dog and his handler."

By the end of the field training exercise, the Marines increased their knowledge of military working dogs, communicating in combat and conducting precision raids and assaults in an urban environment. The MPs received the instructions they'll need to successfully carry out operations of any sort in their upcoming deployment.

"I want the Marines to take away the ability to effectively communicate as small unit leaders and with higher headquarters in order to carry out the assigned mission," said Robinson, Asheville, N.C.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2009
• Date Posted: 04.27.2009 14:34
• Story ID: 32922
• Location: US