thedrifter
04-02-09, 07:29 AM
Military police train for Afghanistan deployment
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April 1, 2009 - 7:02 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
Sgt. Andrew Schlake deployed to Afghanistan for about eight months last year. But as soon as he got off the bus at Camp Lejeune, he knew he wanted to go back.
His reason: 1st Sgt. Luke Mercardante and Cpl. Kyle Wilks, both killed last April in a roadside bomb explosion. Both men, like Schlake, were military police.
When the improvised explosive device went off, Schlake said, it was overwhelming, but the Marines reverted to their training - doing what they had learned to defend the convoy, treat the injured and leave no one behind.
Since then, more than 25 Marines have died while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, many in IED blasts.
Wednesday, Schlake and his new unit - Military Police Company, 2nd Marine Division - practiced what to do when a convoy is attacked by an IED, as well as how to interact with tribal leaders in Afghan villages. The company will deploy to Southern Afghanistan with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade later this spring.
In the simulated village, Marines sat on rugs under tarps, using a translator to talk to Afghan role players, some of whom puffed on hookah pipes or passed around local pastries.
The scenario was supposed to imitate a first meeting with village elders, said Gunnery Sgt. Chuck MacNeil, the company first sergeant. The "elders" were playing the role well, he said, demanding a female doctor, water and money.
"We're training for a different kind of fight," said MacNeil, who deployed for a year to Iraq but has not yet served in Afghanistan. "There is a lot more focus on getting out and talking to the people. ... Counterinsurgency is our main focus, doing it the right way."
The training provided an opportunity for the Marines to practice the "meet and greet," working with the Afghans to answer questions they may have and built rapport, said 2nd Lt. Matt Carwile, commander of MP Company's 2nd Platoon.
"This type of training is going to set us up for success," he said. "It is invaluable."
After leaving the "village," Marines encountered an ambush on the road. Two bombs exploded simultaneously, followed by gunfire from the woods.
"You're down!" one Marine shouted to the turret gunner in one vehicle.
"Well, get somebody else on the gun," someone else shouted as two men were pulling the "injured" Marine out of the Humvee.
Gunfire continued as a man called for a medevac and a corpsman worked to "stabilize" the injured Marine.
"They've got one down up there," the Marine on the radio shouted to the corpsman, shortly before more gunfire erupted.
In Afghanistan, the military police may do any number of things, MacNeil said, such as provide convoy security, work with detainees or train Afghan National Police forces. The situation is more kinetic than Iraq, he said, with more firefights than Marines might encounter now in Iraq.
But like in Iraq, the Marines will adjust and do what is needed, MacNeil said.
That's why the Marines must be prepared, said Schlake, who described his job responsibility as "making sure we all walk out of here unharmed"
"You never know what to expect," he said.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 3
April 1, 2009 - 7:02 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
Sgt. Andrew Schlake deployed to Afghanistan for about eight months last year. But as soon as he got off the bus at Camp Lejeune, he knew he wanted to go back.
His reason: 1st Sgt. Luke Mercardante and Cpl. Kyle Wilks, both killed last April in a roadside bomb explosion. Both men, like Schlake, were military police.
When the improvised explosive device went off, Schlake said, it was overwhelming, but the Marines reverted to their training - doing what they had learned to defend the convoy, treat the injured and leave no one behind.
Since then, more than 25 Marines have died while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, many in IED blasts.
Wednesday, Schlake and his new unit - Military Police Company, 2nd Marine Division - practiced what to do when a convoy is attacked by an IED, as well as how to interact with tribal leaders in Afghan villages. The company will deploy to Southern Afghanistan with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade later this spring.
In the simulated village, Marines sat on rugs under tarps, using a translator to talk to Afghan role players, some of whom puffed on hookah pipes or passed around local pastries.
The scenario was supposed to imitate a first meeting with village elders, said Gunnery Sgt. Chuck MacNeil, the company first sergeant. The "elders" were playing the role well, he said, demanding a female doctor, water and money.
"We're training for a different kind of fight," said MacNeil, who deployed for a year to Iraq but has not yet served in Afghanistan. "There is a lot more focus on getting out and talking to the people. ... Counterinsurgency is our main focus, doing it the right way."
The training provided an opportunity for the Marines to practice the "meet and greet," working with the Afghans to answer questions they may have and built rapport, said 2nd Lt. Matt Carwile, commander of MP Company's 2nd Platoon.
"This type of training is going to set us up for success," he said. "It is invaluable."
After leaving the "village," Marines encountered an ambush on the road. Two bombs exploded simultaneously, followed by gunfire from the woods.
"You're down!" one Marine shouted to the turret gunner in one vehicle.
"Well, get somebody else on the gun," someone else shouted as two men were pulling the "injured" Marine out of the Humvee.
Gunfire continued as a man called for a medevac and a corpsman worked to "stabilize" the injured Marine.
"They've got one down up there," the Marine on the radio shouted to the corpsman, shortly before more gunfire erupted.
In Afghanistan, the military police may do any number of things, MacNeil said, such as provide convoy security, work with detainees or train Afghan National Police forces. The situation is more kinetic than Iraq, he said, with more firefights than Marines might encounter now in Iraq.
But like in Iraq, the Marines will adjust and do what is needed, MacNeil said.
That's why the Marines must be prepared, said Schlake, who described his job responsibility as "making sure we all walk out of here unharmed"
"You never know what to expect," he said.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie