9th ESB Marines open doors during breach training

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Valle | Marines shield themselves from an exploding charge during breaching training on Camp Hansen March 14. The purpose of the training was to teach the Marines how to force doors open safely and effectively. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the Provost Marshal’s Office special response team with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.16.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Valle 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan - The charge explodes with a loud bang and blinding flash. Fragments of the door hit the shield. The Marines spring into action rushing through the black smoke, slamming the door open and quickly entering the room, clearing their sectors of fire.

In seconds, the building is cleared and security has been established.

The enemy is not real; but for the Marines of 9th Engineer Support Battalion’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and the Provost Marshal’s Office special response team the training on Camp Hansen March 12-16 prepared them for scenarios they could encounter.

The purpose of the training was to teach Marines how to force open doors safely and effectively when the mission requires it. The battalion is part of Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. PMO’s special response team is part of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.

“We are out here learning basic breaching tactics by a few Marines that have gone through the breachers course,” said Sgt. Ryan S. Potts, EOD technician with 9th ESB. “We are here to familiarize ourselves with the explosives because a lot of us have not done this before.”

The Marines must be ready for anything, and the training prepares them to respond effectively to a variety of situations.

“This training is good for us because we can never know 100 percent what is on the other side of the door or wall we are trying to breach,” said Sgt. Matthew D. Hanson, special response team, Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. “We can use this training to either rescue hostages or even eliminate the enemy threat by surprising them.”

While dealing with explosives is an everyday job for these Marines, this is the first time many of them have participated in this training.

“I have never done anything like this before,” said Sgt. Brianna M. Walker, EOD technician with the battalion. “You need practice doing this because there are a lot of moving parts, so all the Marines need to be on the same page.”

“It is good to know all aspects of our job,” Potts said. “If we are in Afghanistan and are called upon to breach a wall or a door, we at least know the basic charges and can adjust from there.”

During the training, Marines are challenged with different scenarios such as a failed breach.

“It is important to practice what we would do in the event of a failed breach,” he said. “If you do have a failed breach, the enemy will know that you are there and you basically showed your hand.”
The Marines developed proficiency in handling these unexpected situations.

“We were put through scenarios where the breach is unsuccessful and we would use alternative ways of entering,” said Hanson. “We have been successful with those techniques as well.”

Although these Marines are trained to properly handle the explosives, there are still many safety precautions taken to ensure there will not be any injuries or mishaps.

“The training is very safe,” said Potts. “We have instructors that make sure we have positive control of the explosives, we use a safety blanket to protect us from debris, and along with that we have standard protection – ear pro, eye pro, flak jackets and Kevlars.”

The training is not only for EOD Marines, but Marines from other specialties as well, said Potts.

“Any Marine can be asked to breach a target, and it would be good to at least know the basics,” he said.

• Date Taken: 03.16.2012
• Date Posted: 03.22.2012 22:29
• Story ID: 85654
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP