Marines adapt to newest pre-deployment training

Photo By Cpl. Nicole Lavine | Lance Cpl. Michael Coolidge (left), a team leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th...... read more read more

Photo By Cpl. Nicole Lavine | Lance Cpl. Michael Coolidge (left), a team leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, sets up security alongside a role player soldier of the fictional People's Liberation Army of Zahara during Enhanced Mojave Viper training at Combat Center Range 220, June 23.  see less | View Image Page

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

06.26.2009

Story by Cpl. Nicole Lavine 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., completed the final stages of a new training evolution here in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Iraq this summer.

3/9 started the Enhanced Mojave Viper training exercise May 29. EMV is a step up from the standard Mojave Viper which prepares service members for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. EMV allows two battalions to train at once along side logistics and air units, as opposed to the standard MV, which trains only one battalion at a time, said Master Sgt. David Flatter, the assistant operations chief at the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group.

During the 28 training days of EMV, units undergo several sub-packages, including Clear Hold and Build exercises, or CHB, combined arms live-fire exercises, fire support coordination exercises, and mission rehearsal exercises.

"Conducting EMV has been extremely valuable for our battalion," said Maj. Richard A. Rosenstein, the battalion's executive officer.

"The terrain, distance and training facilities at Twentynine Palms provides tremendous opportunities for east coast units."

CHB I, which takes place during the first three days of EMV, required Marines and sailors to clear a mock city at Combat Center Range 220. From there, units then maintain control of the area to ensure order and the safety of those in the city and build rapport with local civilians and security forces.

While Marines and sailors must remain aware of cultural differences, they must still perform missions effectively. To do so, they coordinate with local police and military forces to create a collaborative atmosphere.

"These exercises would not be possible in Lejeune," Rosenstein said. "The challenges our young Marines faced during CHB I and MRX [Mission Rehearsal Exercise] provided an opportunity to develope and test individual rifleman nd small unit leaders' decision making abilities in a dynamic COIN [Counterinsurgency] environment."

After completing CHB I, 3/9 then moved on to the live-fire exercise series at the platoon and company levels. Meanwhile, the fire support coordination exercises trained artillery and aviation elements to coordinate and communicate with each other during target assessment.

The battalion then moved on to CHB II and CHB III, kinetic exercises which took place at the Quackenbush training area, Gay's Pass, Emerson Lake and Maumee Mine training areas.

From there, the unit returned to Range 220 where they conducted the final days of MRX, which once again forced Marines and Sailors to work with police and military role players.

Rosenstein said although the battalion could conduct live-fire maneuver and combined arms exercises at a variety of other alternate training venues, many authentic elements like the ones found in EMV better prepare war fighters for deployments in desert terrain.

In addition to the training venues themselves, Rosenstein explained the use of hundreds of role players at MRX, gives the scenarios a very realistic feel.

"Our young lance corporals and sergeants are forced to make rational decisions quickly when dealing with people," he said. "Everything you do out here has the potential to build on the following day. For instance, if you catch the right guy at the right time, it could mean that three IEDs [improved explosive devices] are never emplaced."

Sgt. Anthony Silva, squad leader of 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company K, 3/9, said training for EMV felt both foreign and familiar to him since he used to be an instructor with TTECG before transferring to his current unit about nine months ago.

Silva, said through his two-and-a-half years of experience training Marines here, he has a better idea of what to expect and how to instruct his squad prior to an exercise.

"I don't know what's coming, but I understand body language and how people may move," he said. "I think the first three days and the last three days of this training pay off the biggest dividends. You have the chance to react to people vice just running around and shooting at targets. I've been looking forward to this type of training since I left here."

1st Lt. Ted German, the battalion adjutant, said he sees a considerable amount of change in training since he conducted pre-deployment training here three years ago.

"We didn't have Range 220 the last time I was here," said German. "This training is much more involved. Three days are supposed to represent seven months, so we are focusing on more conventional warfare to tailor the expectations of what these Marines may really see in Iraq or Afghanistan."

Lt. Col. Daniel Q. Greenwood, the battalion commanding officer, agreed.

"TTECG and EMV paint these scenarios for the exercise forces and maximize each unit's preparation for their future operating environment," Greenwood said.

As the battalion completes its final days of EMV training this week, final critiques and lessons learned may not only prepare the Marines and sailors involved, but will also give them knowledge to pass on to fellow service members preparing for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.