thedrifter
10-06-06, 05:00 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Oct. 5, 2006) -- Driving down a desolate road, the driver of a seven-ton up-armored vehicle transporting numerous Marines, drives through enemy territory while another Marine mans the vehicle’s Browning M2 .50-caliber machine gun, keeping a watchful eye at potential targets down the road.
A small explosion and cloud of smoke rise from the side of the road, ultimately veiling the moving vehicle. The seven-ton was just hit by an unconventional warfare weapon commonly used in Iraq and better known as an improvised explosive device. Luckily, this situation occurred within a controlled training environment instead of outside the wire in Iraq.
Although IED incidents occur often throughout Iraq, Marines with Transportation Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), are training to both avoid and deal with such situations.
“The ultimate goal of the exercise is to train and prepare the Marines for (the upcoming) combat deployment to Iraq,” said Capt. Thomas M. Warren, commanding officer of Transportation Support Company, CLB-2, 2nd MLG (Fwd). “It’s also going to give us an opportunity to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses to see what level we are at before we deploy.”
The four-day training evolution, called Operation Noble Warrior, was conducted Oct. 2 – 5, and prepared more than 140 Marines with Transportation Support Company to handle the pressures of convoy operations once they step foot in country early next year.
“We set up roadside IED’s to help the Marines train for Iraq,” said Cpl. Jeremy A. Roberts, a landing support specialist with Transportation Support Company, CLB-2, 2nd MLG (Fwd). “Instead of having (Meals Ready to Eat) packages, we have actual (non-lethal) rounds with (carbon dioxide) cartridges that can detonate. It’s as real as you can get without having the real thing.”
The Marines learn how to protect vehicles, equipment and personnel while moving through a simulated combat zone. The company trained throughout the week to become more familiar with handling IED ambushes, firing live rounds while simultaneously moving through designated firing areas, building and maintaining fighting positions and operating fully as a unit with an operational command operations center.
“This week we’re hitting on setting up a (forward operating base) and convoy operations because it is something we may be asked to do in Iraq,” Warren said. “That is this company’s bread and butter.”
Although the company is going over the basics of operations for Iraq, they do, however, have Marines who were previously deployed that can pass on information to the junior Marines who have yet to deploy in the desert.
“We have a good idea of what we will be doing, however, as everyone knows, the (tactics, techniques and procedures) of the enemy is constantly changing,” Warren admitted. “This company hasn’t been to Iraq in over a year. While experience is good, we have to get our Marines out of the mind set that things are going to be exactly the same.”
Once the company finishes up Operation Nobel Warrior, they will depart for Mojave Viper at Twentynine Palms, Calif., where they will continue to sharpen their combat readiness.
“There is a short break from this operation from the time they deploy to Mojave Viper,” Warren said. “Unfortunately there is not a lot of free time for the Marines, however, with this training we have their undivided attention and get our training done much quicker than what we would here. This training is the closest thing to what we will experience in Iraq.”
Ellie
A small explosion and cloud of smoke rise from the side of the road, ultimately veiling the moving vehicle. The seven-ton was just hit by an unconventional warfare weapon commonly used in Iraq and better known as an improvised explosive device. Luckily, this situation occurred within a controlled training environment instead of outside the wire in Iraq.
Although IED incidents occur often throughout Iraq, Marines with Transportation Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), are training to both avoid and deal with such situations.
“The ultimate goal of the exercise is to train and prepare the Marines for (the upcoming) combat deployment to Iraq,” said Capt. Thomas M. Warren, commanding officer of Transportation Support Company, CLB-2, 2nd MLG (Fwd). “It’s also going to give us an opportunity to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses to see what level we are at before we deploy.”
The four-day training evolution, called Operation Noble Warrior, was conducted Oct. 2 – 5, and prepared more than 140 Marines with Transportation Support Company to handle the pressures of convoy operations once they step foot in country early next year.
“We set up roadside IED’s to help the Marines train for Iraq,” said Cpl. Jeremy A. Roberts, a landing support specialist with Transportation Support Company, CLB-2, 2nd MLG (Fwd). “Instead of having (Meals Ready to Eat) packages, we have actual (non-lethal) rounds with (carbon dioxide) cartridges that can detonate. It’s as real as you can get without having the real thing.”
The Marines learn how to protect vehicles, equipment and personnel while moving through a simulated combat zone. The company trained throughout the week to become more familiar with handling IED ambushes, firing live rounds while simultaneously moving through designated firing areas, building and maintaining fighting positions and operating fully as a unit with an operational command operations center.
“This week we’re hitting on setting up a (forward operating base) and convoy operations because it is something we may be asked to do in Iraq,” Warren said. “That is this company’s bread and butter.”
Although the company is going over the basics of operations for Iraq, they do, however, have Marines who were previously deployed that can pass on information to the junior Marines who have yet to deploy in the desert.
“We have a good idea of what we will be doing, however, as everyone knows, the (tactics, techniques and procedures) of the enemy is constantly changing,” Warren admitted. “This company hasn’t been to Iraq in over a year. While experience is good, we have to get our Marines out of the mind set that things are going to be exactly the same.”
Once the company finishes up Operation Nobel Warrior, they will depart for Mojave Viper at Twentynine Palms, Calif., where they will continue to sharpen their combat readiness.
“There is a short break from this operation from the time they deploy to Mojave Viper,” Warren said. “Unfortunately there is not a lot of free time for the Marines, however, with this training we have their undivided attention and get our training done much quicker than what we would here. This training is the closest thing to what we will experience in Iraq.”
Ellie