thedrifter
07-31-09, 07:48 AM
Marines conduct pre-deployment training exercise
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July 30, 2009 1:52 AM
AMANDA HICKEY
Lance Cpl. Paul Baran called the training “intense.”
He and other Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Marines spent Wednesday afternoon running from a damaged convoy through deserted buildings to find and retrieve a casualty.
Baran was one of approximately 30 Marines who completed the pre-deployment training session that involved running approximately 300 yards, shooting targets and carrying a 240-pound casualty back to a convoy disabled by live fire and an improvised explosive device — all while wearing approximately 40 pounds of gear.
“You try to remember everything they tell you. … It’s tough mentally and physically,” said Baran, a radio technician.
The Marines are designated as enablers, which are Marines attached to MARSOC units to provide logistics, fire support and intelligence, according to information from MARSOC.
The Marines began at a starting point approximately 100 yards from a four-story wooden building surrounded by targets. The teams, which ranged from two Marines to four, entered the first floor and cleared the building.
Once clear, the Marines exited, jumped a wooden wall and entered a second similar building, repeating the process.
Once the live fire abated, the Marines exited the building and ran to an aluminum building another 100 yards away, where they again cleared the area.
There they found a 240-pound casualty, which they had to carry back to the starting point safely before providing medical care.
“The purpose is to get the Marines in a stressed environment and see how they react … then engage the targets,” said Capt. Michael Stevens.
The Marines each carried an M-4 rifle and a 9mm pistol and were instructed to use the pistol first — a new emphasis for Marines like Baran.
“It was definitely different getting up there and (being instructed to) put your pistol first,” he said.
While much of the threeday training session this week is similar to what any Marine would go through, Baran is certain the training will prepare them for their mission, whenever it may come.
“I think that it definitely makes you more of a threat and where you can jump in anywhere,” he said.
The Marines, who could deploy anywhere from a couple months to nearly a year from now depending on their assignment, will also receive weapons training and classes about the threats they could encounter while in southern Afghanistan, said Stevens.
Contact Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.
Video
http://www.jdnews.com/news/training-66174-paul-deployment.html
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 1
July 30, 2009 1:52 AM
AMANDA HICKEY
Lance Cpl. Paul Baran called the training “intense.”
He and other Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Marines spent Wednesday afternoon running from a damaged convoy through deserted buildings to find and retrieve a casualty.
Baran was one of approximately 30 Marines who completed the pre-deployment training session that involved running approximately 300 yards, shooting targets and carrying a 240-pound casualty back to a convoy disabled by live fire and an improvised explosive device — all while wearing approximately 40 pounds of gear.
“You try to remember everything they tell you. … It’s tough mentally and physically,” said Baran, a radio technician.
The Marines are designated as enablers, which are Marines attached to MARSOC units to provide logistics, fire support and intelligence, according to information from MARSOC.
The Marines began at a starting point approximately 100 yards from a four-story wooden building surrounded by targets. The teams, which ranged from two Marines to four, entered the first floor and cleared the building.
Once clear, the Marines exited, jumped a wooden wall and entered a second similar building, repeating the process.
Once the live fire abated, the Marines exited the building and ran to an aluminum building another 100 yards away, where they again cleared the area.
There they found a 240-pound casualty, which they had to carry back to the starting point safely before providing medical care.
“The purpose is to get the Marines in a stressed environment and see how they react … then engage the targets,” said Capt. Michael Stevens.
The Marines each carried an M-4 rifle and a 9mm pistol and were instructed to use the pistol first — a new emphasis for Marines like Baran.
“It was definitely different getting up there and (being instructed to) put your pistol first,” he said.
While much of the threeday training session this week is similar to what any Marine would go through, Baran is certain the training will prepare them for their mission, whenever it may come.
“I think that it definitely makes you more of a threat and where you can jump in anywhere,” he said.
The Marines, who could deploy anywhere from a couple months to nearly a year from now depending on their assignment, will also receive weapons training and classes about the threats they could encounter while in southern Afghanistan, said Stevens.
Contact Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.
Video
http://www.jdnews.com/news/training-66174-paul-deployment.html
Ellie