Marines patrol through urban terrain

Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 2 rehearse looking around a corner to ensure it is clear during the military operations on urban training town here, May 8. The Marines practiced clearing buildings in teams of four to ensure all avenues of approach were covered. MASS-2 is a part of Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, CAMP SCHWAB , OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.08.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Brooks 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Camp Schwab - Roughly 150 Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 2 conducted military operations on urban terrain here, May 8.

MASS-2, part of Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, completed the training as part of a weeklong exercise.

“We are training the Marines on urban assaults because it is training they don’t normally receive,” said Capt. Jason J. Gates, training officer for MASS-2. “The training helps paint the picture for the Marines that every Marine is a rifleman.”

During the training, Marines learned the basics of operating in a MOUT environment which included clearing stair cases, more commonly called ladder wells by Marines.

“We taught the Marines everything from clearing ladder wells, to entering and clearing rooms,” said Lance Cpl. Taylor J. Huth, a military policeman with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III MEF Headquarters Group, III MEF. “Anything the Marines would or could see in a MOUT environment was covered.”

“It is important to work as a team when clearing ladder wells,” said Huth. “Each Marine must watch their sector of fire to ensure no enemy may appear unnoticed.”

In addition to clearing ladder wells, Marines learned how to approach buildings and clear rooms.

“Entering a room is one of the most important things to learn because it requires a lot of moving parts” said Huth. “Being confident in your abilities going into the room is key to ensuring safety.”

The training the Marines received prepared them for potential real life operations.

“We are no longer fighting out on a battle field,” said Staff Sgt. Philip M. Williams, administration chief for MASS-2. “We are fighting door to door in towns just like these.”

The Marines conducted the training several times until they became proficient and confident in their abilities to operate as a team.

“If the Marines took one thing out of this training it is team work,” said Huth. “Team work is the key to a successful operation and keeping Marines safe.”

• Date Taken: 05.08.2012
• Date Posted: 05.15.2012 20:15
• Story ID: 88475
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, CAMP SCHWAB , OKINAWA, JP