1/5 trains to defeat IED threat

Photo By Sgt. Benjamin Crilly | Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, sweep for improvised explosive devices with compact metal detectors indicators during improvised explosive device lane training at Outpost Barma, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 19. The classes were taught by the Marines of 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and Tactical Training Exercise Control Group staff. The lanes allow the Marines to get used to the movement and learn the IED indicators that they may encounter in combat before they deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

02.09.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Crilly 

1st Marine Division

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marines of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, conducted improvised explosive device lane training in preparation for the Enhanced Mojave Viper exercise at Outpost Barma, Jan. 19.

The lane training incorporated classes with practical applications, building on the Marines previous training on defeating the threat of IEDs. Marines also learned observation techniques to spot some of the indicators commonly used, and those they will see throughout the rest of their month at EMV and their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

The training was good for the Marines of an infantry company because it enables them to effectively and safely patrol with or without combat engineers, said Cpl. Daniel T. Isham, 22, an instructor for OP Barma and an engineer from Alpha Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, from Birmingham, Ala.

Marines of 2nd CEB assisted the trainers of Tactical Training Exercise Control Group at OP Barma, and will be attaching to 1/5 on deployment.

The lanes are an important asset, allowing Marines to become familiar with sweeping and to learn the IED indicators that they may encounter in combat.

“Training at OP Barma gets the Marines in the mindset and keeps them current in their knowledge of IEDs for Afghanistan and the rest of EMV,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Koziol, 30, a combat engineer and instructor with TTECG Team East from West Hampton, Mass.

The Marines know the training is important as they prepare for their final training exercise before deployment.

“The training gives us the most opportunity to prevent casualties and learn how to locate and report the IEDs,” said Lance Cpl. Johnathon D. Tate, 33, a mortarman with Alpha Company, 1/5. “I feel more confident and safer knowing that my Marines know this information.”

• Date Taken: 02.09.2011
• Date Posted: 02.09.2011 11:18
• Story ID: 65077
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US