5th Anglico Marines tackle IED course, test new humvees

[USMCRET6391]

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan (Aug. 11, 2006) -- Cpl. Nathan Miller scans the area around him as he begins a long, routine patrol down the dry-gravel trail in the midst of thick forest. The weight of Miller's equipment is taking its toll on his body, but he stays vigilant and steadfast, looking for signs of an improvised explosive device.

Spotting a suspicious pipe along the path, he quickly alerts his fellow Marines. As they take cover, the enemy detonates the IED.

Miller's quick identification and split-second decision making would have probably saved lives in a real scenario, but this IED drill is just that.

Marines from 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company learned how to recognize and counter IEDs during training in the Central Training Area Aug. 2.

The Marines also familiarized themselves with Humvees equipped with Marine Armor Kits, also known as MAK, during the training. MAK is armor designed to protect service members from the effects of IEDs and other ballistic battlefield dangers.

The course began with a display of the armored Humvees. The Marines rehearsed loading and unloading the vehicles carrying a full combat load.

After working with the vehicles, the Marines geared up to take on the IED course. The Marines were trained on possible dangers they could face while on patrol and how to handle them.

"This was our first time going through an exercise where we actually had threats along our path," said Lance Cpl. Jacob Hickenbottom, a fire support man with the unit. "It helps set us in a vigilant mindset to be aware of our surroundings."

Around the first bend in the IED course, a simulated IED was detonated, and the Marines took action, quickly setting up a 360-degree security perimeter and radioing a report to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Small, an EOD technician with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, evaluated the Marines and debriefed them during the training.

"Everyone performed greatly," Small said. "You saw the possible danger ahead and did exactly what you needed to do."

The Marines continued through the course and faced three more intense situations, surviving each.

"Our mechanics of patrolling have definitely improved: the pace, the space between each other and keeping an eye on everything around us," said Cpl. Nate Garens, a fire control team chief.

"This exercise was a real eye opener to IEDs," said Gunnery Sgt. Richard Castro, a platoon sergeant. "It really helped to show us that (IEDs) can be defeated if we apply the skills we learned."