Terrorist scenario floods SRT with new training experience

[SR-25]

Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification #: 200512162530
Story by Pfc. Cindy G. Alejandrez



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, JAPAN (Dec. 14, 2005) -- Service members and Japan Ground Self Defense Forces wait with utter anticipation, as the cold air infests their lungs during a ship boarding exercise conducted at the new deep water port, Dec. 14, as part of Exercise Active Shield.

The scenario involved a suspicious vessel entering the Station harbor and ignoring commands from first-responder units to debark the ship.

“The exercise trains service members how to protect the station in case terrorists attempt to bring weapons aboard,” said Seaman Rong Duong, a construction Seabee, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, and native of San Antonio.

During the exercise Doung, along with two other cohorts portrayed the roles of defiant terrorists. They entered the harbor at 9 a.m. not knowing they were under surveillance.

“This exercise is incumbent of the fact that we are under Force Protection Condition Charlie, meaning we are under heightened security and training as such,” said Master Sgt. Eric Drummond, Station anti-terrorism force protection chief and a native of Marysville, Calif.

During the exercise, Special Reaction Team was able to use, for the first time, a Long Range Acoustic Device which is a non-lethal, crowd control, sonic weapon. The LRAD emits high-pitched shrill tones similar to those of a smoke detector. This is used to capture the attention of the terrorists.

“The purpose of the LRAD is to warn the suspect and get their attention. If they ignore the alarm, we know their intent,” said Lt. Col. Robert J. Norton, non-lethal weapons officer, and native of Honolulu.

After several alarm warnings, SRT moved to the scene and dashed out from the back of a truck ready to get the action underway. They proceeded with observant eyes and weapons in the ready position. After they secured the area, they advanced toward the ship and went in staunchly for the bad guys.

The terrorists showed little resistance as the small vessel was overwhelmed with SRT assault personnel.

“We train for many scenarios considering different aspects in the airfield,” said Lance Cpl. Ben Leichty, SRT assault man and a native of Fort Wayne, Ind.

As the terrorists were being detained, members from SRT found the compartment filled with several weapons.

“This is the first time an exercise involved our new deep water port, which is a new probable threat on Station,” said Drummond.

The JGSDF and SRT units cleared the area, smoothly ending the exercise.

“I’m impressed with the spirit of cooperation in this bilateral exercise,” said Ted W. Hashimoto, anti-terrorist critical infrastructure protection manager, and a native of Hilo, Hawaii.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mc...f/200512162530

[Grimmy]

How do you treat lungs that've been infested with cold air? Are there antibiotics for that?