Comm Marines tackle combat course, focus on convoy operations, urban warfare

Photo By Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso | Marines conduct Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training Nov. 2 at the Central Training Area's Combat Town. During the MOUT training, Marines rehearsed clearing rooms and conducting patrols as a fire-team unit.  

10.30.2006

Story by Cpl. Juan D. Alfonso 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

by Lance Cpl. Juan D. Alfonso
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan – More than 36 Marines with Communication Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, completed a four-day course focused on convoy procedures, crew-served weapons handling and urban combat techniques Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 at the Central Training Area.

The course was part of a three-week pre-deployment training program, which included a Combat Lifesavers Course, that prepares Marines for possible deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, according to Capt. Robert S. Hargate, the company's executive officer.

The training is especially important for the communication Marines since they are often individually attached to units already engaged in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Greenwood, Ind. native said.

"When that happens, these Marines don't get any pre-deployment training," Hargate, 32, said. "One day they're (on Okinawa), the next day they're down range and unprepared."

The convoy training, which was continuous throughout their time in the Central Training Area, focused on developing the company's non-commissioned officers by having a different Marine give a convoy brief before each movement. "The briefs are meant to make sure we're all on the same page," said Cpl. Stephanie L. Quick, a field radio operator with the company. "That way, if the convoy commander goes down, anyone can step up and take his place, because we all know the details and how to get the mission accomplished."

In addition to giving the briefs, the NCOs, and some senior lance corporals, were made convoy commanders, assistant convoy commanders and navigators. They were required to deal with threats or attacks while the convoys moved from one location to another.

The convoy training included providing security after an improvised explosive device attack and using night vision goggles to scan the route for insurgents.
As the training was conducted at night, the Marines had to remain at their best in demanding conditions.

"Marines (being fatigued) and doing night driving or providing security is a reality," said Cpl. Peter S. Reiss, a digital multi-channel wideband transmission equipment operator. "We're training exactly like it is in Iraq or Afghanistan, and I believe it's going to save our lives."

During the Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain portion of the training event, the Marines traveled via convoys to Combat Town where they practiced clearing buildings and conducting patrols as a squad-sized unit.

The training progressed to individual room-clearing techniques as teams of four learned to work together to cover each room from every angle.

The key to surviving in any combat environment is good communication, remaining in a combat mindset and trusting that each Marine will do their job and cover one another, said Cpl. Joshua C. Benford, a rifleman and course instructor with the division.

The three-pronged training package included small arms and crew-served weapons training. The Marines fired M-16A4 service rifles, M-9 pistols and the M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon. The M-240G medium machine gun rounded out the weapons package.

"We definitely got our money's worth out of this training," said Staff Sgt. Benjamin M. Laster, the company's training chief. "Once the Marines got the feel for it, the NCOs took charge, and the Marines were right on target. Even if they never deploy from Okinawa, I'm confident they'll be ready for any deployment in support of the War on Terror."

• Date Taken: 10.30.2006
• Date Posted: 11.13.2006 14:41
• Story ID: 8256