Support Marines brush up combat skills

[SR-25]

Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification #: 20051013181629
Story by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2005) -- Just seven months after returning from a grueling deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the truck drivers and heavy equipment operators with Combat Logistics Company 115 prepared for their upcoming return to the combat zone with a five-day rear area security exercise Sept. 26-30 at Camp De Luz.

The company, part of the 1st Force Service Support Group, directly supported Marines operating in hotspots like Fallujah and Ramadi last year. The 1st FSSG was responsible for providing logistical support, such as food, ammunition and medical supplies, to all Marine forces operating in Iraq.

Preparation

The indigo glow of wristwatches lighted up the dreary eyes of the 93 Marines with the company, waiting to receive their weapons at the armory. All watches read 4:30 a.m., indicating the beginning of five days of long hard training.

After the initial gear inspection by the company’s small-unit leaders, the Marines hopped into 7-ton trucks bound for the training area.

Packed into two bleachers outside, the Marines focused on the classes at hand for the day. They will learn the basics of all roles vital in a combat zone.

After the introductory classes, the Marines unsheathed their shovels for their daily practical application: digging a two-man fighting hole.

“This is like (Marine Combat Training) all over again,” said Pfc. Fernando Figueroa, a truck driver with the company.

The 20-year-old Miami native noted that a refresher course will always help Marines remember the smaller details.

Communications

The sound of reveille echoed throughout the steep hills surrounding Camp DeLuz bright and early at 5:30 a.m., awakening the Marines from their slumber under the stars.

This day was dedicated the use of communication equipment, such as the PRC-119 radio.

“Everywhere you go, you are always going to have a (radio operator) with you,” said Lance Cpl. Ashley M. Kelly, a truck driver with CLC-115. “But the radio operators are also the first target, so everyone should know how to pick it up and operate it when he goes down.”

The Marines also learned the basics of another lifesaving role on the battlefield: the corpsman.

“The Marines are the initial responders, and will need this knowledge to assist the corpsmen in saving lives,” explained Petty Officer 3rd Class Vincent F. Ng, a combat skills training instructor with Brigade Service Support Group 1.

After some cross-training between Marines and sailors, the company took to the surrounding hills for land navigation.

Convoys and patrols

Unlike previous days, the majority of today was not spent in the bleachers, but sweating out hours of practical application.

The two main topics of the day: immediate action drills while on convoy and patrolling.
Marines in full gear took turns flying out of the back of 7-ton trucks and creeping around the training area in tactical patrols.

“This is the (training) that will get them thinking,” said Sgt. William H. Starr, a combat skills instructor with BSSG-1. “A lot of convoys are being ambushed (in Iraq). Now the Marines on convoy will know how to react.”

Field exercise

The Marines received their two last classes in preparation for the field exercise that would take place later in the day.

The first class, on nuclear, biological and chemical warfare, focused on the proper actions Marines will take should they ever encounter an NBC attack.

Although many of the previous classes refreshed the Marines on common Marine Corps knowledge, the next class – improvised explosive devices – is relatively new knowledge.

“IEDs are everywhere, disguised and hidden in almost anything you can think of,” said Staff Sgt. Jared A. Scott, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “Every Marine should know what to look for in case he is the only one to lay eyes on a (suspicious object.)”

The 26-year-old Layton, Utah native added that if a Marine suspects that something that could be an IED, he should alert every one in the area and call up the explosive ordnance disposal unit.

“We would rather receive a million calls a day that turn out to be nothing rather than have a single missed call that costs a Marine his life,” said Scott.

Shortly after the last classes, the Marines scrambled in preparation for the field exercise. They will defend the combat operations center from the “aggressors,” played by the instructors.

The staff noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers, who have been attending their own rear area security training, led the troops in defending the base and on convoys.

The Marines used the two-man fighting holes constructed earlier that week, as well as roaming posts within the base. The fields of fire of machine gun nests loomed over the two entry control points, providing security for the Marines just outside the gate searching incoming vehicles.

The Hike Back

An end to the exercise was called shortly after daybreak, but there was no time for sleep yet. The final push was near – a five-mile hike through the dust-covered hills surrounding Camp DeLuz.

Although many of the Marines within CLC-115 have already been combat-tested and proven, training like this will help Marines adapt for their return to the fluid battlefield in Iraq next spring.

“These lessons will save lives, and the Marines must keep an open mind because situations (in war) are constantly changing,” said 1st Sgt. Pepe Ramirez, the company’s first sergeant.

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