Technical, tactical training keeps 31st MEU ready for expeditionary operations

Photo By Sgt. Tyler Vernaza | Marines with BLT 2nd Bn., 7th Marines, 31st MEU’s GCE, assemble the roll cage of an ITV at Kin Blue in the Central Training Area.  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.09.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Tyler Vernaza 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Japan - When duty calls, the Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are ready to respond – anytime, anywhere.

Continuous, integrated training keeps the 31st MEU’s Marines and sailors in this heightened state of readiness.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) conducted an internally transportable vehicle movement and rapid-offload exercise at Kin Blue in the Central Training Area Aug. 30.

Marines with BLT 2nd Bn., 7th Marines, the 31st MEU’s ground combat element, departed Camp Hansen for Landing Zone Swan with the ITV and two fire teams of Marines.

The Marines with HMM-265, also assigned to the 31st MEU as part of the air combat element, provided the helicopter support.
Before the onload and offload portion began, the Marines simulated assembling and driving the ITVs from a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter.

Because the ITV is relatively new to the Marine Corps, the Marines of the 31st MEU do not pass up opportunities to learn more about it, according to Staff Sgt. Ira Prahl, weapons platoon sergeant, BLT 2nd Bn., 7th Marines.

Production of the ITV began in 2008, and only in the past year has it become an asset in the Marine Corps’ inventory. Although it is not an armored vehicle, it has unique capabilities that are useful to the many contingency operations undertaken by the 31st MEU.

“The ITV can be internally transported via CH-53E Sea Stallion or MV-22 Osprey, which gives it its name – internally transportable vehicle,” said Prahl. “Because it is not an armored vehicle, it would (typically) not be used in a combat environment, but is perfect for the 31st MEU’s mission.”

Practical applications for the ITV include reconnaissance, resupply, casualty evacuations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. However, the vehicle is fitted with a machine-gun attachment, keeping the Marines ready in any clime and place.

Although it is not intended for large-scale insertions, the ITV is ideal in areas where a Humvee or mine resistant ambush protected vehicle would be conspicuous, like heavily-populated areas or villages.

During the training, Marines loaded the ITV onto the CH-53, took off for a short time, and landed back at the LZ, to simulate arrival at their destination. The Marines quickly exited the helo to prepare the vehicle for use.

The ITV appears as a flattened truck when offloaded, but once the Marines unhook a few straps and insert a few pins, a roll-cage unfolds and a windshield and mirrors complete the ITV, making it a mission-capable military vehicle.

The ITV is transportable and can be set up in less than three minutes, allowing the Marines to get where they are needed as quickly as possible.

“Timeliness is vital. The faster we can get on the ground and moving to our destination the better,” said Capt. Richard McKenzie, a company commander with BLT 2nd Bn., 7th Marines.

The Marines with HMM-265 (Rein.) provide rapid transport for getting the ITVs wherever they need to go as quickly as possible.

“The ACE is vital to our mission with the 31st MEU in terms of the rapid deployment of ground forces,” said McKenzie. “Each element is crucial to the readiness of the 31st MEU.”

• Date Taken: 09.09.2011
• Date Posted: 09.08.2011 21:06
• Story ID: 76700
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JP