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thedrifter
01-31-06, 07:26 AM
31st MEU grunts learn ambush techniques
31st MEU
Story by Cpl. Will Lathrop

NAVAL COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS STATION, Guam (Jan. 28, 2006) -- Marines and sailors with G Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment conducted jungle ambush patrols Jan. 26 as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's MEU Exercise being conducted on the island of Guam.

The patrol involved members of 3rd Platoon with an attached machine gun section tactfully entering the dense jungle and establishing a solid position from which to engage and destroy the enemy.

"We've been doing more of these patrols, because we need to be ready if we go to war in the jungle," said Lance Cpl. Jose Angulo, a 20-year-old San Francisco native and a fire team leader. "But a lot of these skills apply to urban combat, too."

The platoon followed a trail into the jungle, disappearing into the foliage as they made their way to their objective rally point.

"We use the ORP to plan the ambush," said Cpl. Kenneth Oelrich, a 22-year-old Gainesville, Fla. native and squad leader. "We already know where everyone is supposed to go when we step off for the patrol, but when we finally get on scene, we take a little time to establish precise positions."

After arriving at the ambush location, the Marines moved into their assigned positions, concealed from observation by heavy vegetation.

"The big key to an ambush is discipline," Angulo said. "Noise, movement, light, these are all things that can give you away to the enemy."

Thirty minutes later, four Marines, acting as an enemy reconnaissance patrol, ventured down the trail. Oelrich initiated the attack as soon as the center of the enemy patrol entered the kill zone.

Shouts from the ambush force could be barely heard over the overwhelming volume of rifle and machine gun fire.

"The contact should last no more than 15-20 seconds," Oelrich said. "Especially if your intelligence was accurate and you brought more firepower than the enemy."

Contact was broken almost as soon as it started, with 3rd Platoon sustaining one casualty, who was assessed as walking wounded.

The enemy patrol sustained three casualties and the other member being detained for follow-on interrogation.

The egress followed a different route than the one taken into the ambush site, in order to throw off anyone who had tracked them and set up a counter-ambush along their approach route.

"This patrol went really well, which is good for the new guys to see," Angulo said. "They've practiced a lot of conventional warfare tactics, so it was great training for them to try some unconventional methods."

The Marines and sailors of 2nd Bn., 5th Marines are currently serving as the battalion landing team for the MEU. The MEU is currently in Guam enhancing its capabilities and working toward its special operations capable certification before it continues its tour of the Asia-Pacific Region.

Ellie