Crocodile 2003 Heats Up

[thedrifter]

CROCODILE 2003 HEATS UP
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200391734446
Story by Combined Joint Information Bureau



CAMP SAMUEL HILL, Queensland, Australia (September 18, 2003) -- Australian Army soldiers battled with United States Marines in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area overnight as part of Exercise Crocodile 2003 - the most significant activity for Australian Defense personnel for the year outside of operational commitments.

Designed to test almost 7,000 ADF members as well as close to 3,000 US personnel in the planning and conduct of an Australian-led and US-supported combined operation, Crocodile 2003 exercises a wide range of military operations at sea, in the air and ashore.

Overnight, Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force (3rd MEF) encountered a group of Australian soldiers playing the role of "enemy forces" and initiated battle. Supported by armored vehicles and tanks, as well as attack helicopters, the mock battle was decided not by casualties but by the attendant umpires that provide crucial guidance during the training.

The realistic and exhaustive training continues 24 hours a day and provides all participating personnel with experience in joint operations, as well as the opportunity to hone individual skills.

Exercise Crocodile 2003 continues until September 25, at which time the exercise will cease and participating forces will re-deploy to their home locations.

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USMC Amphibious Recon Platoon conducting rehearsals for deep reconnaissance insertion as part of the Australian and American joint exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2003.(Croc03)
Photo by: Lance Cpl Neil Ruskin


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US Marines take cover during contact with the enemy on Exercise Crocodile 2003. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Ashley Roach

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USMC Marines inside an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) on an Australian and American joint exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2003. (Croc03)
Photo by: Lance Cpl Neil Ruskin


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200391753837
Story by Lance Cpl. Monroe F. Seigle



CAMP SHOALWATER BAY, Queensland, Australia
-- The ground-pounding, mortar-toting Marines of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based out of MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, began preparation for Crocodile 2003 in June to prepare themselves and their new Marines for the challenges that will be presented to them while deployed to the 'land down under.'

Before they left for Australia, the Marines conducted several training exercises at Schofield Barracks on the Island of Oahu along with some even tougher missions at the Pohakuloa Training Area located on the "Big Island" of Oahu.

"Right before we went to PTA, we got a bunch of new Marines to our company and we had to show them what we expected of them in the field, and how we operate while in a combat environment," said Cpl. Justin Haskins, a squad leader with Weapons Company. "We had to get those new Marines ready for upcoming deployments and we had only a short amount of time to do it."

While at PTA, the grunts were getting themselves ready for Crocodile 2003 by conducting live-fire exercises known as "hip shoots." This drill requires them to take orders from a fire-direction center in order to get the proper grid coordinates of enemy locations. Once they have the gun line, which consists of 81mm mortars, set up and ready to fire down range, a forward observer will give a better description of the target along with further coordinates.

According to Haskins, the new Marines were quick on their feet and showed plenty of motivation learning their jobs at PTA.

During July of 2003, the Marines were gearing up and motivating each other for the annual training evolution in Australia when they packed up shop once again and exploded on the scene at Schofield Barracks. This was a chance for the Marines to get even more hands-on training along with more live-fire exercises designed to further improve their proficiency in war fighting.

During the seven day exercise, the Marines dug into the trenches and threw grenades down range before they engaged in cross-training with a line company composed of basic rifleman. This gave them a eye-opening experience as to what a combat scene would look like when the enemy manages to get too close to their positions for the mortars to have any effect.

"We had to learn how to employ some basic-rifleman tactics in order to defend ourselves when the enemy pushes to close to our position," said Pfc. Melvin Riley, a squad leader with Weapons 2/3. "The rifleman came in and played the role of the enemy and attacked our positions. We had to demonstrate how to set up security around our positions and defend the position."

After the two training exercises, Riley and Haskins agreed the unit came out better as a whole because the new Marines learned a lot from their leaders and were learning to establish themselves as leaders in the long run.

As for now, the Marines in Weapons Company are pumped up and ready for an upcoming force-on-force exercise against the Australian Army that will be conducted during CROC '03.

The Marines from Weapons Company are prepared for what they know will be a challenge. They are aware that the Australians are familiar with the terrain and have been training just as much as the Marines have before the deployment.

"We think we have a good chance against the Aussies," Haskins expressed. "As leaders, we're ensuring that our troops are learning their job, studying their knowledge and becoming familiar with all the parts and functions of the 81 (81mm mortar)."

Regardless of the outcome of the force-on-force exercise in a few short days, the leadership within Weapons Company is confident they will leave Crocodile 2003 as a better-trained unit.

"What we really want to achieve from (Crocodile 2003) is for our squad leaders and team leaders to get to know their troops even better and realize their strengths and weaknesses, and capitalize on them," said Haskins. "If we can do that, which I am confident the Marines will, we will all be ready to go to Okinawa on the (Unit Deployment Package) and give 100 percent."

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A US Marine CH-46 Sea Knight flying under moon light over the Shoalwater Bay Training Area on Exercise Crocodile 2003. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Jason Weeding

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A US Marine Platoon Commander on the radio after a contact with the enemy during Exercise Crocodile 2003. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Ashley Roach

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A US Marine CH-46 Loadmaster during a night insertion. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Ashley Roach


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200391752410
Story by Cpl. Jason E. Miller



CAMP SAMUEL HILL, Queensland, Australia (Sept. 17, 2003) -- Australian Defense Force Major General Mark Evans, commanding general, Combined Task Force 628, which presides over Exercise Crocodile 2003, arrived here Sept. 9, via Marine Cobra Attack Helicopter for a tour of Marine assets in country for the exercise.

Upon his arrival at the airfield, Maj. Gen. Evans met Brig. Gen. Kenneth Glueck Jr., commanding general, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and CTF-628 deputy commander, who led him on a tour of units and equipment that will be used by Marines during Exercise Crocodile 2003.

Beginning with the aviation command element, the general officers toured each major portion of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) to meet with each element's commanding officer and other key officials, as well as some of the lower ranking enlisted Marines. Some of the units set up static displays of equipment and gave informative classes to the generals about their purpose and capabilities. Major Gen. Evans even test drove one large truck and took a ride in a tank before concluding his tour.

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment set up display of mechanized armor that particularly drew the general's attention. Perhaps only the air show put on by the aviation command element was more impressive, as it brought the major general into the training area from thousands of feet above.

While on the tour, Maj. Gen. Evans and Brig. Gen. Glueck also sat down for an M.R.E. (meal ready to eat) lunch with Marines entrenched in the training area. Here several Marines intermingled with the generals and both staffs while casually enjoying the field rations.

"I think this exercise is very important," said Maj. Gen. Evans. "It really underscores our alliance with the Americans. This year, we hope to take things one step further in terms of our interoperability."

Added Brig. Gen. Glueck, "Just getting out here with all of our equipment ready to kick off the exercise is a success in itself."

Major Gen. Evans' impression of the Marines he visited was a positive one, as he took a vested interest in listening to the Marines and asking them about past experiences and job related matters. In all, he met more than 40 Marines and became well acquainted with the Marine Corps' capabilities for Crocodile 2003.

"I'm very impressed with the Marines," said Maj. Gen. Evans. "They seem very focused and very akin to us. We're kindred spirits, and I hope in this exercise we all learn to work together a little better."

As the exercise continues to unfold, more Australian and U.S. units will come together to benefit from the training that comes with an exercise like Crocodile


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USMC CH46's landing at Sam Hill air field durning exercise Croc03 at Shoalwater Bay 2003.
Photo by: Lance Cpl Neil Ruskin


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US Marines in contact with the enemy, during exercise Crocodile 2003. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Ashley Roach

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USMC Amphibious Recon Platoon conducting rehearsals for deep reconnaissance insertion as part of the Australian and American joint exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2003.(Croc03)
USMC Amphibious Recon Platoon boards a CH46 aircraft for insertion as part of the Australian and American joint exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2003.
Photo by: Lance Cpl Neil Ruskin


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200391743640
Story by Lance Cpl. Monroe F. Seigle



SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia ? (Sept. 17, 2003) -- As Crocodile 2003 gets ready to swing into full force, Marines from all over the world are continuing to arrive here and setting up shop in preparation for the biennial training evolution.

With the hard work and dedication of the Marines from the Brigade Service Support Group out of Okinawa, Japan, logistics, food, water and billeting was available within days after they arrived Aug. 30.

Currently, the BSSG supports more than 2,200 Marines from various commands from Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan along with reserve units from the United States, who are on the ground and charging hard.

"Within five days of their arrival the Marines from the Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group established 75 general-purpose tents and set up the Marine Expeditionary Brigade command operation center," said 1st Sgt. Russell Brown, detachment first sergeant, MEF Headquarters Group.

As soon as the general-purpose tents were set up, the 7th Communications Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, was hard at work installing the proper wiring necessary for a flow of electricity to the COC. While making electricity possible for the COC, the engineers ran into a slight setback- the generators were only capable of supporting American power levels. To make it possible for the generators to serve the Australian electrical devices, the generators had to be converted.

One Marine with the III Marine Headquarters Group out of Okinawa, Japan, was responsible for the rewiring of all the generators that support of the COC. Lance Cpl. Antonio Pinkney, electrician, III MHG, spent hours rewiring the generators and within a day's work, he had the generators capable of supporting Australian electrical devices.

"It was difficult to get into the generators and rewire them to support the Australian electrical appliances," said Pinkney. "I knew it was not going to be easy, but it had to get done. I spent the day connecting and disconnecting wires, but in the end, the appliances were up and running. I'm glad I was able to help the entire camp."

As tents and infrastructures were established, workers with Marine Corps Community Services were right there to support the Marines as they established a full gym to include weights and cardiovascular equipment, an Internet cafe and a phone bank so Marines could call home in their spare time. Along with these amenities, the Marines were glad to hear they could watch movies at night in a theater setting also provided by MCCS.

"The MCCS establishments are strictly for the Marines morale," said Major Clay Tipton, camp commandant, SWBTA. "We want the Marines to be able to contact their loved ones while they are out here and be able to take a break from the day-to-day rigorous operations."

While the Marines work up an appetite from hours of hard work, the food service specialists are in the kitchens making the meals. They rise every morning at 2:30 a.m., knowing they have to properly feed more than 2,200 troops so they can perform and accomplish missions during Crocodile 2003. Everyday the food service specialists provide two meals for the troops in the trenches and make sure they are issue a meal, ready to eat for their afternoon meal.

"The (food service specialists) are working some long hours in the kitchen," said Sgt. Hopeton Witter, chief cook, III MHG. "We start preparing the meals four hours before the time they are to be served. They are working hard and not complaining at all."

In order for the Marines to get all the supplies necessary in order to complete the mission, Marines in the Camp Sam Hill Motor Pool made six-hour roundtrips to Rock Hampton bringing in supplies, vehicles and tactical equipment.

"The Marines have worked hard since the day they got here and continue to make things happen," said Tipton. "This exercise has gone well and will continue to do so as long as the Marines continue to perform the way they have so far."

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A US Marine loadmaster walking past the CH-46 Sea Knight flight line. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Ashley Roach

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USMC Medicial Assistant Tristen Smith stitching up patient inside the medicial centre at Sam Hill Shoalwater Bay during Croc03.
Photo by: Lance Cpl Neil Ruskin


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USMC Amphibious Recon Platoon boards a CH46 aircraft for insertion as part of the Australian and American joint exercise at Shoalwater Bay 2003.
Photo by: Lance Cpl Neil Ruskin

Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

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A US Marine Platoon after a contact with the enemy, during Exercise Crocodile 2003. Exercise Crocodile 2003 is the major training activity for the Australian Defence Force for the year, and involves more than 6,500 ADF personnel, as well as approximately 2,600 US personnel.
Photo by: Cpl Ashley Roach


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Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20039175039
Story by Cpl. Jason E. Miller



SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia(Sept. 17, 2003) -- In 2002, motocross superstar Ricky Carmichael stunned the world when he completed the first-ever perfect motocross season. The same year, freestyle maniac Brian Deegan turned heads when he landed the first successful backflip on a dirt bike. The life of a pro rider can be full of action, money and worldwide recognition, but there are some professional dirt bikers out there who actually serve a more practical purpose.

Marine Corps scout messengers, mounted atop specially made Kawasaki 650cc enduro motorcycles, have the important task of relaying messages, delivering equipment and obtaining information on the battlefield. It may not be professional competition, but it?s a job reserved for those who need speed and action as a part of daily life.

?It?s gotta be the most fun job in the Marine Corps,? said Lance Cpl. Mike Nolan, a scout messenger with Headquarters Co., 3rd Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. ?People come up to us all the time and ask us about our jobs. We just tell them the truth; we love to work.?

3rd Marine Regiment has two motorcycles assigned to complete the messenger scouting tasks of its three infantry battalions. The constant flow of message traffic keeps the riders busy speeding between command positions and other key areas during training exercises across the world, throughout the year.

Johnny Campbell, the famed desert endurance racer reaches speeds of over 100 miles per hour during many races. Moving with speed and agility across rough terrain is a task better suited to a dirt bike than a Humvee because of its size and maneuverability.

?I think the bike could probably go that fast if I really opened her up,? said Nolan, a Farmington, Connecticut native. ?We?re really not allowed to do that though, because if you go down out there and hurt yourself, you?re riding all alone and it could be a while before someone finds you.?

Scout messengers wear full protective gear, much like pro racers, only its olive green in color, and doesn?t attract near as much attention. One of the main benefits of having tactical motorcycles is their small size and relatively quiet exhaust system.

?They?re pretty heavy bikes, really,? Nolan said. ?But having that big 650 cc engine is really worth it when you?re chugging up some of these huge hills. They?re pretty powerful as well, and if you don?t know what you?re doing, you could hurt yourself pretty easily.?

The scout messengers attend a two-week course offered by Base Schools at MCB Hawaii. The first week gets riders acquainted with the very basics of riding a motorcycle.

?They teach you everything, even how to sit on it,? Nolan said. ?But in the end you really do learn a lot.?

The second week takes the riders out to MCB Hawaii Training Area Bellows, where they learn to ride in an off-road environment, through the training area?s many trails and large hills and valleys.

?Getting to rip it all through those trails and mountains was a great time. I never imagined that of all the jobs in the Marine Corps, I?d end up with something like this.?

Nolan recalled seeing Marine scout messengers in a recruiting video he saw before entering the Marine Corps. The images of Marines in full-on motocross gear stuck in his head even after he was initially assigned as a radio operator with 3rd Marine Regiment.

?I just kept my eyes and ears open, because I knew they had bikes here. As soon as a position opened up, I jumped at the chance to go to school and become a messenger.?

Nolan, nor any other of the Marine Corps? scout messengers may ever achieve the status or level of recognition received by superstars like Jeremy Mcgrath or Roger DeCoster, but like being a Marine, riding is a way of life that is hard for others what aren?t involved to understand.

?I just love to ride,? said Nolan. ?I honestly can?t think of a better way to spend an enlistment.?

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: