2nd Dental Battalion conducts IED training

Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | Sailors with 2nd Dental Battalion take cover while coming under simulated small-arms fire during a counter improvised explosive device course in Holly Ridge, N.C., March 20, 2015. During the scenario, the sailors were attacked by simulated small-arms fire and had simulated IEDs detonate near them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn Valosin)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.20.2015

Story by Cpl. Shawn Valosin 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Fifteen sailors with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group loaded into a 7-ton truck early in the morning and set out for a counter improvised explosive device course at the Marine Corps Engineer School’s Home Station Training Lanes in Holly Ridge, North Carolina, March 20, 2015.

During the classroom instruction, sailors learned about various types of IEDs commonly used and how to react during a threat. Once that portion was finished, it was time for practical application, patrolling down a dirt road and searching the dense North Carolina shrubbery for fishing wire, disturbed earth, or shiny objects, which are common indicators of an IED.

“As corpsmen, every patrol we go on has a potential for having an IED attack,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Holden Roberts, a corpsman with 2nd Dental Bn. and native of Du Quoin, Illinois. “We learned how to identify IEDs, call in an IED nine-line, evacuate a casualty from the danger area, and how to handle an IED environment.”

This was the first time that the battalion has conducted this type of training and was used to prepare sailors for deployments.

While patrolling, simulated IEDs were detonated, sending clouds of black smoke into the air. Sailors also fell under simulated small arms fire, increasing the realism of the environment.
The course was taught by retired Marines who deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and had firsthand experience with IEDs. The scenarios started out basic, with a squad of sailors patrolling, then got progressively more intricate throughout the day.

“In the first scenario they encountered a hoax IED, and we saw how they reacted to that because that’s what the enemy would do,” said George Frick, an instructor for the course. “Next they encountered a detonated IED with a casualty. We saw how they reacted to the casualty and made sure they got the casualty back to the Casualty Collection Point to be taken care of, while still being mindful of the IEDs that could be in play out there.”

Although the IEDs and casualties were simulated, the realistic situations helped the sailors experience the physical and mental stresses of dealing with an IED threat. The training ensured that the sailors are ready to deploy and implement these skills at any time.

“We observed how they reacted to the IED and their [tactical training procedures] and standard operating procedures; we gave them advice on what they need to do to strengthen them,” said Frick.

• Date Taken: 03.20.2015
• Date Posted: 03.24.2015 08:59
• Story ID: 157873
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US
• Hometown: DU QUOIN, IL, US