thedrifter
06-21-04, 07:28 AM
3rd MRB Marines develop combat skills
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200461514814
Story by Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan —(June 7, 2004) -- Marines in various support specialties with 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, strapped on pistols and grabbed their rifles during helicopter embarkation and landing zone defense training here June 7.
Building on training and tactics forged in the jungles of Vietnam, the 3rd MRB Marines were supported in their endeavor by two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters and crews with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262.
“We have been able build a partnership with HMH-262 that allows us to give our Marines multiple opportunities to gain different experiences with helicopter operations,” said Capt. Carlos J. Algarin, operations officer, 3rd MRB. “This group of 72 Marines is practicing how to board and exit the helicopters from a potentially hot landing zone.”
The drills also help build on the confidence and leadership abilities of individual noncommissioned officers.
“The team leaders tested their abilities to effectively direct a team to exit the aircraft and set up a hasty defense of the landing zone or pull out of that defense and board the helicopters,” said Cpl. Nathan M. Jones, a parachute repair specialist and team leader.
It is difficult to take these Marines away from their jobs because they are needed in their technical specialties on a daily basis. However, commanders find it necessary to prepare them to function efficiently in a combat environment, according to Algarin.
“Hopefully this training gives the Marines some muscle memory when and if that first round goes by their head, said Algarin. “In places like Iraq and Afghanistan the enemy is not going after the infantry. They are going after support Marines in convoys, and we want to be able react with support Marines and drop in right on top of them.”
The Marines welcomed getting away from the day-to-day grind of being in the rear with their gear.
“There is nothing like getting out of the shop and hopping in a helicopter,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel W. Hatten, computer technician. “It is something I don’t do very often. Not only is it fun, but it is great training for those inexperienced Marines who need more confidence in flying.”
Like any movement of Marines in combat, this training took extensive planning.
“We had to send in requests for air support and get landing zone site approval,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cary W. Gross, MRB training officer. “Safety is paramount so the Marines received instruction on the proper way to exit the birds in a water landing because they would be over the ocean.”
The training areas on Okinawa provide a safe and secure environment to build upon a Marine’s war fighting abilities.
“The ability to go through this training now instead of in a dangerous, uncontrolled combat zone is crucial,” said Algarin. “If these Marines come here and never received this training and deploy into combat roles one doesn’t return, we have failed as leaders.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046151593/$file/Release0278-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — Lance Cpl. Michael M. Guzman lies in a prone position while defending the landing zone during helicopter embarkation and landing zone defense training here June 7. Guzman is a welder with 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group. The training is part of 3rd MRB’s effort to prepare their support Marines for combat missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich) (Released) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/701B299BB20D1E1F85256EB4001FE202?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200461514814
Story by Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan —(June 7, 2004) -- Marines in various support specialties with 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, strapped on pistols and grabbed their rifles during helicopter embarkation and landing zone defense training here June 7.
Building on training and tactics forged in the jungles of Vietnam, the 3rd MRB Marines were supported in their endeavor by two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters and crews with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262.
“We have been able build a partnership with HMH-262 that allows us to give our Marines multiple opportunities to gain different experiences with helicopter operations,” said Capt. Carlos J. Algarin, operations officer, 3rd MRB. “This group of 72 Marines is practicing how to board and exit the helicopters from a potentially hot landing zone.”
The drills also help build on the confidence and leadership abilities of individual noncommissioned officers.
“The team leaders tested their abilities to effectively direct a team to exit the aircraft and set up a hasty defense of the landing zone or pull out of that defense and board the helicopters,” said Cpl. Nathan M. Jones, a parachute repair specialist and team leader.
It is difficult to take these Marines away from their jobs because they are needed in their technical specialties on a daily basis. However, commanders find it necessary to prepare them to function efficiently in a combat environment, according to Algarin.
“Hopefully this training gives the Marines some muscle memory when and if that first round goes by their head, said Algarin. “In places like Iraq and Afghanistan the enemy is not going after the infantry. They are going after support Marines in convoys, and we want to be able react with support Marines and drop in right on top of them.”
The Marines welcomed getting away from the day-to-day grind of being in the rear with their gear.
“There is nothing like getting out of the shop and hopping in a helicopter,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel W. Hatten, computer technician. “It is something I don’t do very often. Not only is it fun, but it is great training for those inexperienced Marines who need more confidence in flying.”
Like any movement of Marines in combat, this training took extensive planning.
“We had to send in requests for air support and get landing zone site approval,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cary W. Gross, MRB training officer. “Safety is paramount so the Marines received instruction on the proper way to exit the birds in a water landing because they would be over the ocean.”
The training areas on Okinawa provide a safe and secure environment to build upon a Marine’s war fighting abilities.
“The ability to go through this training now instead of in a dangerous, uncontrolled combat zone is crucial,” said Algarin. “If these Marines come here and never received this training and deploy into combat roles one doesn’t return, we have failed as leaders.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046151593/$file/Release0278-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — Lance Cpl. Michael M. Guzman lies in a prone position while defending the landing zone during helicopter embarkation and landing zone defense training here June 7. Guzman is a welder with 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group. The training is part of 3rd MRB’s effort to prepare their support Marines for combat missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich) (Released) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/701B299BB20D1E1F85256EB4001FE202?opendocument
Ellie