thedrifter
02-18-04, 06:04 AM
U.S., Dutch Marines conduct bi-lateral training at MOUT town
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification Number: 20042179527
Story by Mark Turney and Cpl. Shawn Vincent
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Feb. 12, 2004) -- Swooping low in the large CH-53E helicopters over the concrete town in the hinterlands of Quantico, the 44 highly motivated and skilled members of the 31st Company, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps readied themselves for the force-on-force fight in which they were about to engage.
Members of the Dutch Royal Marines from Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, joined in a bi-lateral exchange with a platoon from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, from Moundsville, W.Va.
The helicopters touched down outside of the town, the Royal Marines moved out in a quick fashion ready for the intense fight to re-take the Military Operations on Urban Terrain town. Amid intense layers of multi-colored smoke, the men began to move from the staging areas to the first buildings never knowing where or when the first shots would ring out.
The first building is entered without a single shot being fired from within, and the Royals clear the building as they have repeatedly trained to do. The second building would not be as easy.
After the smoke had cleared, the "dead" marked with the tell-tale pink of Simunition rounds and the town taken, the Marines of both countries gathered in the only heated building at the MOUT site for a quick but deeply detailed after action review. Each Marine was asked to discuss their roles in the raid, both good and bad. With very little fanfare though at times with a lot of laughter, these participants took apart their latest mission by quickly and honestly discussing lessons learned amongst fellow professionals and brothers in arms.
"It was very good training for us. The MOUT site here is much better than in Curacao," said Royal Marine 1st Lt. Job Holwerda, 2nd platoon commander, 31st Co.
After a hot meal, everyone gathered up their equipment and mounted up to put their lessons learned to the test. "You can see how we moved differently after the first time," said Cpl. Merlot Hoogveld. "We reacted better and were much more aware of our flanks the second time."
It was during these iterations that each country's Marines found small but often-profound differences between how each other operated.
Dutch Marines have a smaller squad size than do their U.S. counterparts. While the Dutch Marines operate with an eight-man squad the much beefier 13-man U.S. squad allows for more firepower on target.
"Our arm and hand signals are different than the U.S. Marines but we generally understood each other," said Holwerda after successfully taking the town.
"I think the Dutch were really surprised by how close we brought the helicopters in during extractions," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert M. Kuhn, operations officer 3/25, "At one point the helo's were only a few feet over their heads before touching down."
Another aspect of training, which caught everyone by surprise, was the sudden dip of temperatures and the falling snow.
"We were surprised to have cold weather training here. Not many of the Royal Marines have seen snow before, coming from such a warm climate," said Holwerda.
Back in Curacao it is in the 80s, on the ground at MCB Quantico it is in the 30s, 20s or colder.
The newness of snow became ever more apparent as the Dutch tried to move silently through the forest over ice encrusted snow as squad maneuvers practice began. "This is impossible," said Hoogveld as he moved frustratingly through the woods. "There is no way to be quiet."
The exchange is intended to foster a better working relationship and understanding between to allied countries Marines. "The best part about training with the Royal Marines was meeting them and experiencing a bit of their culture. Learning their operational strategies was a great experience," said Kuhn.
"We've really worked these guys out hard over this week," added Kuhn, "I know they are looking forward to the weekend."
The weekend's liberty brought the two units together in downtown Washington, where they spent time visiting national monuments, clubbing and getting to know one another.
With the end of the visit in sight the closeness of the Marines became evident. The ever-present deck of cards came out and new games were learned and swapping of mementos took place as it has for decades. "We had a lot of fun down time, and the Marines are interacting very well. They are talking and exchanging military items with their counterparts, and generally have the same sense of humor," Holwerda said.
The visit ended with a weekend full of Washington Capitals hockey, White House visits and the Super bowl.
"It's a good atmosphere for the Marines to learn in since they get along so well. They are training each other, and that is what we came here for," Holwerda said as a farewell luncheon broke up and the two units went their separate ways.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004217102723/$file/Joint1_lowres.jpg
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D49E55C880566DBC85256E3D0051AD4F?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification Number: 20042179527
Story by Mark Turney and Cpl. Shawn Vincent
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Feb. 12, 2004) -- Swooping low in the large CH-53E helicopters over the concrete town in the hinterlands of Quantico, the 44 highly motivated and skilled members of the 31st Company, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps readied themselves for the force-on-force fight in which they were about to engage.
Members of the Dutch Royal Marines from Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, joined in a bi-lateral exchange with a platoon from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, from Moundsville, W.Va.
The helicopters touched down outside of the town, the Royal Marines moved out in a quick fashion ready for the intense fight to re-take the Military Operations on Urban Terrain town. Amid intense layers of multi-colored smoke, the men began to move from the staging areas to the first buildings never knowing where or when the first shots would ring out.
The first building is entered without a single shot being fired from within, and the Royals clear the building as they have repeatedly trained to do. The second building would not be as easy.
After the smoke had cleared, the "dead" marked with the tell-tale pink of Simunition rounds and the town taken, the Marines of both countries gathered in the only heated building at the MOUT site for a quick but deeply detailed after action review. Each Marine was asked to discuss their roles in the raid, both good and bad. With very little fanfare though at times with a lot of laughter, these participants took apart their latest mission by quickly and honestly discussing lessons learned amongst fellow professionals and brothers in arms.
"It was very good training for us. The MOUT site here is much better than in Curacao," said Royal Marine 1st Lt. Job Holwerda, 2nd platoon commander, 31st Co.
After a hot meal, everyone gathered up their equipment and mounted up to put their lessons learned to the test. "You can see how we moved differently after the first time," said Cpl. Merlot Hoogveld. "We reacted better and were much more aware of our flanks the second time."
It was during these iterations that each country's Marines found small but often-profound differences between how each other operated.
Dutch Marines have a smaller squad size than do their U.S. counterparts. While the Dutch Marines operate with an eight-man squad the much beefier 13-man U.S. squad allows for more firepower on target.
"Our arm and hand signals are different than the U.S. Marines but we generally understood each other," said Holwerda after successfully taking the town.
"I think the Dutch were really surprised by how close we brought the helicopters in during extractions," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert M. Kuhn, operations officer 3/25, "At one point the helo's were only a few feet over their heads before touching down."
Another aspect of training, which caught everyone by surprise, was the sudden dip of temperatures and the falling snow.
"We were surprised to have cold weather training here. Not many of the Royal Marines have seen snow before, coming from such a warm climate," said Holwerda.
Back in Curacao it is in the 80s, on the ground at MCB Quantico it is in the 30s, 20s or colder.
The newness of snow became ever more apparent as the Dutch tried to move silently through the forest over ice encrusted snow as squad maneuvers practice began. "This is impossible," said Hoogveld as he moved frustratingly through the woods. "There is no way to be quiet."
The exchange is intended to foster a better working relationship and understanding between to allied countries Marines. "The best part about training with the Royal Marines was meeting them and experiencing a bit of their culture. Learning their operational strategies was a great experience," said Kuhn.
"We've really worked these guys out hard over this week," added Kuhn, "I know they are looking forward to the weekend."
The weekend's liberty brought the two units together in downtown Washington, where they spent time visiting national monuments, clubbing and getting to know one another.
With the end of the visit in sight the closeness of the Marines became evident. The ever-present deck of cards came out and new games were learned and swapping of mementos took place as it has for decades. "We had a lot of fun down time, and the Marines are interacting very well. They are talking and exchanging military items with their counterparts, and generally have the same sense of humor," Holwerda said.
The visit ended with a weekend full of Washington Capitals hockey, White House visits and the Super bowl.
"It's a good atmosphere for the Marines to learn in since they get along so well. They are training each other, and that is what we came here for," Holwerda said as a farewell luncheon broke up and the two units went their separate ways.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004217102723/$file/Joint1_lowres.jpg
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D49E55C880566DBC85256E3D0051AD4F?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: