Military Police Support Company prepares for upcoming deployment

Photo By Cpl. Matheus Hernandez | Marines with Military Police Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, walk away from their vehicles for a debrief Aug. 30 after completing a scenario during convoy operations and mounted patrols at Camp Schwab. During the exercise, several scenarios were enacted for the Marines while they patrolled the area in a mounted convoy. The purpose of the exercise was to prepare the Marines for future deployments to Afghanistan.  

CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.01.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Matheus Hernandez 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP SCHWAB, Japan — Marines with Military Police Support Company conducted convoy operations and mounted patrols Aug. 30-31 to prepare for future deployments to Afghanistan.

“Right now, we’re focused on mounted convoys because that’s mostly what the field Marines are doing in Afghanistan,” said Lance Cpl. Nicholas Alcardi, military policeman, MP Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

During the exercise, several scenarios were enacted for Marines while they patrolled the area in a mounted convoy.

In the first scenario, Marines received simulated small-arms fire and harassing fire.

“We basically wanted to see how they [would react],” said Sgt. Jason A. Lichtefeld, platoon sergeant, MP Support. “[Would] they freeze up or did they continue to punch through?”

The second scenario, determined by the Marines’ reaction to the first scenario, was a simulated improvised explosive device.

“The third scenario, we went with one IED blast and then saw how they reacted and based the rest of the scenarios off of that,” said Lichtefeld. “If they grasped the concept, we amped it up a little bit and threw a couple of extra IEDs and some more harassing fire just to give them the basic idea of immediate-action drills for small-arms fire and IED detonation,” said Lichtefeld.

The purpose of the training is to make the Marines more prepared for any situation they might encounter during their deployment, said 2nd Lt. Eric Russell, platoon commander, MP Support Company.

“It sets the foundation for when Marines deploy because once you’re in country, everywhere you go from point A to point B is mounted. So understanding how to operate in a vehicle, how to react to various threats, whether it’s a hasty ambush, complex IED attack or even just a vehicle breaking down — knowing how to react quickly is ultimately going to save Marines’ lives,” said Russell.

“The main thing we’re focused on right now is IEDs and how to get through them without dying,” said Alcardi.

According to Lichtefeld, the exercise gives small-unit leaders a chance to hone their skills and to help Marines understand their responsibilities when deployed.

“Communication is probably the most essential thing in any of these operations,” said Russell. “Whether it’s communicating what’s going on out and around you on a convoy or even just communicating the needs of individual Marines prior to stepping out for that convoy, it basically lays down the foundation to be successful.”

Marines debriefed after each scenario to understand what they did well and what needed improvement.

“The exercise is going really well,” said Lichtefeld. “Marines are grasping everything we’re putting out there for them. The communication is slowly coming along but with any first field operation, when you [have] a brand new bunch of guys, things are crawl, walk, run phase, and we’re slowly getting there. We’re at the slow jog, but we’re getting there.”

• Date Taken: 09.01.2011
• Date Posted: 09.01.2011 01:18
• Story ID: 76265
• Location: CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, JP