I Marine Expeditionary Force preps to take over Marine operations in Afghanistan

Photo By Sgt. Shawn Coolman | Service members with I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) Headquarters Group practice immediate action drills with their service pistols during a pre-deployment training evolution aboard Camp Pendleton, Feb. 9.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

02.09.2010

Story by Cpl. Shawn Coolman  

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Camp Pendleton based Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) are preparing for an upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with extensive pre-deployment training evolutions.

This deployment will be the first time I MEF will take command of Marine operations in Afghanistan. To better prepare the service members for their overseas deployment, the bulk of the training consists of field training exercises to re-familiarize each Marine with combat tactics and marksmanship. They are also receiving hours of supplemental cultural awareness classes.

"We're focusing a lot on crew served weapons, Improvised Explosive Device training and convoy operations," said Cpl. Thomas E. Geist, 26, a I MEF (FWD) pre-deployment training program instructor, from Ranchocucamonga, Calif. "All things these Marines will be doing in Afghanistan."

Many of the Marines have been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq and have done many of the exercises required before departing for overseas, however, this is the first deployment for many of the Marines.

"The training isn't totally unfamiliar, but a lot of its kind of new to me," said Lance Cpl. Alessandro S. Assenti, 19, a radio operator with I MEF. "The training has shown me a lot, and I have been talking to some of the more experienced Marines who have been to Afghanistan and Iraq. They are filtering information down and sharing their knowledge."

Additional training was provided by civilian contractors who instructed and demonstrated IED counter measures.

"We are tasked with providing Marines and sailors deploying in harms way with basic IED defeat training," said Christian Nelson, an instructor for IED defeat training with the Engineer Center of Excellence.

The culmination of the pre-deployment training is a practical application scenario of everything the service members have learned.

"What we did was conduct practical application of IED scenarios in a field environment. We conducted an extended seven kilometer mounted patrol, and we had IED sites set up along the patrol. The Marines had to conduct immediate action tactics throughout the scenarios they were encountering, said Nelson.

"We want them to walk into harms way with the knowledge that they have the basic training to deal with whatever they encounter."

The completion of the training is a reminder to the service members that the deployment is fast approaching.

"We're well prepared," said Assenti, who is from San Diego, Calif. "I'm ready to go over there and do what we need to do."

• Date Taken: 02.09.2010
• Date Posted: 02.19.2010 15:17
• Story ID: 45595
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US