Marines replicate Afghanistan missions through high-tech convoy simulator

Photo By Cpl. Mark Stroud | Sgt. Thomas M. Reed, squadron truck master, Motor Transportation Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, trains his M2 heavy machine gun down range at the combat convoy simulator here Aug. 2. The simulated scenario included hostile forces hidden within crowds of civilians and required the Marines to be highly vigilant.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.02.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Stroud 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 expanded their convoy operations training options at the combat convoy simulator here Aug. 2.

The combat convoy simulator is an immersive training aid featuring training scenarios that closely emulate operations Marines would conduct in Afghanistan, according to Capt. Max Foti, commanding officer, Motor Transportation Company, MWSS-172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The simulator is an important training aid on an island where convoy training operations are limited by terrain and regulations, Foti said

“The training is designed to familiarize Marines with combat convoy operations and real-life scenarios in an environment that we can’t replicate out here on Okinawa,” said Foti. “We can’t drive off road because of the jungle and regulations. With the simulator, … they can drive off road and have a lot of different possibilities open to them.”

The Marines traveled across roads and terrain similar to what they would see in a deployment to Afghanistan, but other simulated maps were available, including accurate representations of important areas of operations such as Fallujah, Iraq, according to Foti.

The simulator also removes logistical challenges, such as fuel supply and certain human and safety factors present in traditional convoy training, according to Foti.

“The scenario possibilities are almost infinite. The simulator technicians can simulate anything from complex ambushes, small-arms fire and close-air support to indirect fire,” said Foti. “This is something we could come out and do monthly, or even weekly, and still get training value from it.”

The scenarios used by the MWSS-172 Marines were influenced by the experience of Marines who had recently returned from Operation Enduring Freedom.

“We came back from Afghanistan with all of the current [tactics techniques and procedures and standard operating procedures],” said 1st Lt. David J. Hullum, executive officer, Motor Transportation Co. “We know how the enemy engages convoys so we can train to that and teach those Marines who haven’t been to Afghanistan,” said Hullum.

Training scenarios included an ambush from cover, small-arms fire from within a civilian crowd and improvised explosive devices.

“That is what you are most likely going to see in Afghanistan, [small arms fire] without even seeing enemy personnel, improvised explosive devices everywhere out there. All that training is provided with this simulator,” said Hullum.

During these scenarios the Marines were confronted with the need to quickly make important decisions that balanced convoy security, the rules of engagement and winning the support of local nationals.
Some of the challenges the convoy faced included domestic animals blocking the roads, loss of communications and gunmen hiding within otherwise peaceful crowds.

Making sure that the training is realistic and representative of what the Marines would see on a deployment to Afghanistan was one of the main goals of the training.

“The purpose of any training is to make it as realistic as possible, and this system facilitates that,” said Foti. “It is about as realistic as you are going to get in a controlled training environment.”

The combat convoy simulator was one step in the Marines ongoing training evolution.

“These last few days have just been one phase in a series of crawl, walk, run training operations designed to increase their proficiency to a level where they are capable of deploying at any time,” said Foti.

The simulator is well suited to the task of tailoring training to the experience level of a unit in order to maximize the benefit of the training evolution, according to Sgt. Thomas M. Reed, squadron truck master, Motor Transportation Company.

“I think what the trainer provides is the ability to mold the scenario to where your Marines are at in terms of training, experience and progress from there,” said Reed.

During the simulator training Marines of MWSS-172 responded to new scenarios and executed technical and tactical procedures they would otherwise not have been able to replicate locally.

“I was the vehicle commander. I worked the communications in the vehicle and was an extra set of eyes for the driver,” said Lance Cpl. Lauren E. Hall, motor transport mechanic, Motor Transportation Company.

“I haven’t done this simulator before, but you can train on more scenarios here because you don’t have to worry about fuel or anything else,” Hall said.

Units interested in conducting training in the combat convoy simulator can call 623-1032.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2011
• Date Posted: 08.17.2011 01:08
• Story ID: 75455
• Location: OKINAWA, JP