Base exercise hones force protection skills
Lance Cpl. W. Zach Griffith

CAMP FOSTER (Mar 10, 2006) -- Marine Corps Bases Japan wrapped up their force protection exercise that tested the military's abilities to respond and deal with heightened security alerts, March 1.

The purpose of the exercise, named Constant Vigilance, was to allow all U.S. military units on Okinawa an opportunity participate in an anti-terrorism and force protection exercise and meet annual training requirements, according to Christopher White, the assistant anti-terrorism officer for Marine Corps Bases Japan.

The eight-day exercise was held in conjunction with the Keen Edge, an exercise held on the main island of Japan that focuses of the defense of Japan where both the U.S. and Japanese military participate.

"What the exercise allowed units to do was become proficient in their individual requirements," White said. "We designed scenarios based on objectives different units need to meet."

For example, one scenario could be an explosion on Camp Kinser. First responders, such as the Provost Marshal's Office, fire department and the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, would practice dealing with mass casualties.

Another mission of the exercise was to practice and test the Auxiliary Security Force's ability to provide a higher level of security in times of crisis or heightened alert levels.

The ASF is comprised of Marines from all commands and integrates with emergency first responders and the Provost Marshal's Office, according to Capt. Morgan J. Bevan, the anti-terrorist officer for Camp Foster and Camp Lester.

Marines of ASF stood guard at camp gates and patrolled likely targets for terrorist attacks.

While participating in the exercise, the ASF Marines dealt with many different security issues, according to Bevan. The Marines faced a variety of situations including improvised explosive device threats, stolen vehicles and stolen weapons and explosives.

In one scenario, Marines faced a stolen vehicle filled with stolen explosives, according to Bevan. In any other case, the incident would be dealt with as a regular stolen vehicle. However, once ASF established that the vehicle was packed with explosives and firearms, ASF Marines had to know how to deal with the situation.

Despite such an unlikely situation, Marines still need to be prepared, according to Bevan.

"We need to stay consistently vigilant so we don't become complacent," Bevan said. "We need to know what's going on in the world and do everything we can to protect our Marines and their families."

The exercise also provided many lessons learned for the future planning of the next force protection exercise.

"Overall, any time you're training, you are testing policies and capabilities, and you're learning lessons," White said. "Any training is good training and that's important."

Ellie