thedrifter
02-25-09, 05:32 AM
Marines train to navigate IEDs
Comments 0 | Recommend 2
February 24, 2009 - 6:04 PM
MOLLY K. DEWITT
Complacency kills.
That's the lesson more than 30 Marines with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group learned Monday and Tuesday as they received training in the detection of and reaction to improvised explosive devices.
The Marines spent Monday in the classroom going over techniques, tactics and procedures for dealing with IEDs while on convoys and then hit the road Tuesday to put those techniques to the test.
"We try to base it as close as we can to what's currently happening," said Gene Pollock, contractor with the Engineering Center of Excellence, part of the Joint IED Defeat Organization. "We try to keep it as realistic as possible; some of the stuff we put out there has actually been recovered from theater."
During the hands-on exercise the Marines mounted up in Humvees and convoyed down a dirt road that had been set up with various suspicious items such as IED pressure plates and tires rigged with simulated IEDs that produced both smoke and the more than 100 decibel sound of an explosion.
Recognizing an IED or spotting suspicious items while on convoys is crucial to the safety and security of the convoy. Items that seem harmless, such as a piece of paper or wood by the side of the road, can spell trouble.
"A lot of times it's the little things that will get you vice the big things," Pollock said. "Not noticing a little wire sticking out somewhere can mean the difference between life and death."
IEDs and snipers are among the leading killers of coalition forces in the war on terror, Pollock said.
Cpl. Jeffrey Purcell, with 2nd Supply Battalion, said he expects the training to be useful in upcoming deployments.
"It saves people's lives and it teaches you what you're actually looking for over there," Purcell said. "If we're doing convoy operations over there it's going to be an everyday thing."
Cpl. Gary King II, with 2nd Supply Battalion, who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007, said the hands-on IED training better prepares Marines for what to expect on upcoming deployments.
"It is our job to provide security for the cargo we have to take base to base," he said. "So we have to be the first ones to spot (an IED)."
Knowing how to spot a potential IED and react to the situation provides confidence to the Marines as well as valuable knowledge prior to deployment.
"Without that confidence it's just that much harder," he said. "I feel it's my job to ensure they learn as much as they can before they go over there ... so they can do their jobs and come home safe."
The Marines faced three scenarios throughout the day and following each scenario received a debriefing on things that went right and things that could be improved.
The training gave Lance Cpl. Charles Warren, also with 2nd Supply Battalion, peace of mind.
"It prepares you very well for (deployment). I know more what's been going on," he said. "It makes it really realistic to know where it's coming from and it just helps us react to it."
While the threat of IEDs has decreased in the past few years, Pollock said the training these Marines went through can still save lives.
"They're still out there," he said. "It's still a threat out there."
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow government reporter Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8455 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com.
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 2
February 24, 2009 - 6:04 PM
MOLLY K. DEWITT
Complacency kills.
That's the lesson more than 30 Marines with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group learned Monday and Tuesday as they received training in the detection of and reaction to improvised explosive devices.
The Marines spent Monday in the classroom going over techniques, tactics and procedures for dealing with IEDs while on convoys and then hit the road Tuesday to put those techniques to the test.
"We try to base it as close as we can to what's currently happening," said Gene Pollock, contractor with the Engineering Center of Excellence, part of the Joint IED Defeat Organization. "We try to keep it as realistic as possible; some of the stuff we put out there has actually been recovered from theater."
During the hands-on exercise the Marines mounted up in Humvees and convoyed down a dirt road that had been set up with various suspicious items such as IED pressure plates and tires rigged with simulated IEDs that produced both smoke and the more than 100 decibel sound of an explosion.
Recognizing an IED or spotting suspicious items while on convoys is crucial to the safety and security of the convoy. Items that seem harmless, such as a piece of paper or wood by the side of the road, can spell trouble.
"A lot of times it's the little things that will get you vice the big things," Pollock said. "Not noticing a little wire sticking out somewhere can mean the difference between life and death."
IEDs and snipers are among the leading killers of coalition forces in the war on terror, Pollock said.
Cpl. Jeffrey Purcell, with 2nd Supply Battalion, said he expects the training to be useful in upcoming deployments.
"It saves people's lives and it teaches you what you're actually looking for over there," Purcell said. "If we're doing convoy operations over there it's going to be an everyday thing."
Cpl. Gary King II, with 2nd Supply Battalion, who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007, said the hands-on IED training better prepares Marines for what to expect on upcoming deployments.
"It is our job to provide security for the cargo we have to take base to base," he said. "So we have to be the first ones to spot (an IED)."
Knowing how to spot a potential IED and react to the situation provides confidence to the Marines as well as valuable knowledge prior to deployment.
"Without that confidence it's just that much harder," he said. "I feel it's my job to ensure they learn as much as they can before they go over there ... so they can do their jobs and come home safe."
The Marines faced three scenarios throughout the day and following each scenario received a debriefing on things that went right and things that could be improved.
The training gave Lance Cpl. Charles Warren, also with 2nd Supply Battalion, peace of mind.
"It prepares you very well for (deployment). I know more what's been going on," he said. "It makes it really realistic to know where it's coming from and it just helps us react to it."
While the threat of IEDs has decreased in the past few years, Pollock said the training these Marines went through can still save lives.
"They're still out there," he said. "It's still a threat out there."
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow government reporter Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8455 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com.
Ellie