thedrifter
07-23-07, 07:39 AM
Exercise at YPG tries to mirror reality
BY DARIN FENGER, SUN STAFF WRITER
July 22, 2007 - 9:51PM
Hollywood-style theatrics transformed Yuma Proving Ground into Baghdad for a military mass-casualties training exercise Sunday that starred 100 performers playing the enemy or the gravely wounded.
Organizers say 20 of those professional performers - many of whom were dressed in Middle Eastern garb - are actually natives of Iraq.
U.S. Marines ran practice missions from 6 a.m. to midnight through the theatrical buildings that make up YPG's urban warfare complex. Amid the sights and sounds of bombs exploding nearby, performers acted out chases, attacks and scenes of grisly injury and death.
"Using Hollywood-like capabilities, we are showing them realistic problems they may encounter in the theater (of war)," said Maj. Patrick Tucker, a spokesman for the group of Marines. "We want this training to be as realistic as possible."
He added that YPG's training buildings will be set up to resemble a Baghdad slum.
Tucker stressed that everyday training without all the special effects simply doesn't prepare Marines for the sometimes frightening, disorienting and gruesome environment of war.
"If you haven't seen something like that, you may not react positively. You could go into shock. We're trying to mitigate adverse reactions these people could have to seeing something like that."
The performers and theatrics for Sunday's training was provided by International Program Group Inc. The California-based business provides training for military and law enforcement.
The 219 Marines receiving the training came to YPG from Marine Corps Camp Pendleton near San Diego. Their group is Combat Logistics Battalion 11, a subsidiary of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The spokesman called the latter unit "kind of the 911 of the Marine Corps." The unit not only handles war needs but is often sent around the world to perform humanitarian aid, such as responding to a tsunami or other major natural disaster.
Tucker said his battalion chose the Army's YPG facility in part because its heat and desert terrain add to the realistic representation of the Middle East. He added that they chose to train now because of an upcoming deployment that could take them anywhere on the planet, including Iraq.
Tucker said only about half of the battalion's members have already witnessed war firsthand.
The Marines arrived here last week and will keep training through Tuesday of next week.
Other training has included live-fire operations, humanitarian assistance readiness and reaction drills to improvised explosive devices.
Ellie
BY DARIN FENGER, SUN STAFF WRITER
July 22, 2007 - 9:51PM
Hollywood-style theatrics transformed Yuma Proving Ground into Baghdad for a military mass-casualties training exercise Sunday that starred 100 performers playing the enemy or the gravely wounded.
Organizers say 20 of those professional performers - many of whom were dressed in Middle Eastern garb - are actually natives of Iraq.
U.S. Marines ran practice missions from 6 a.m. to midnight through the theatrical buildings that make up YPG's urban warfare complex. Amid the sights and sounds of bombs exploding nearby, performers acted out chases, attacks and scenes of grisly injury and death.
"Using Hollywood-like capabilities, we are showing them realistic problems they may encounter in the theater (of war)," said Maj. Patrick Tucker, a spokesman for the group of Marines. "We want this training to be as realistic as possible."
He added that YPG's training buildings will be set up to resemble a Baghdad slum.
Tucker stressed that everyday training without all the special effects simply doesn't prepare Marines for the sometimes frightening, disorienting and gruesome environment of war.
"If you haven't seen something like that, you may not react positively. You could go into shock. We're trying to mitigate adverse reactions these people could have to seeing something like that."
The performers and theatrics for Sunday's training was provided by International Program Group Inc. The California-based business provides training for military and law enforcement.
The 219 Marines receiving the training came to YPG from Marine Corps Camp Pendleton near San Diego. Their group is Combat Logistics Battalion 11, a subsidiary of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The spokesman called the latter unit "kind of the 911 of the Marine Corps." The unit not only handles war needs but is often sent around the world to perform humanitarian aid, such as responding to a tsunami or other major natural disaster.
Tucker said his battalion chose the Army's YPG facility in part because its heat and desert terrain add to the realistic representation of the Middle East. He added that they chose to train now because of an upcoming deployment that could take them anywhere on the planet, including Iraq.
Tucker said only about half of the battalion's members have already witnessed war firsthand.
The Marines arrived here last week and will keep training through Tuesday of next week.
Other training has included live-fire operations, humanitarian assistance readiness and reaction drills to improvised explosive devices.
Ellie