Photo By Sgt. Shawn Valosin | A Marine with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment applies first aid to a...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and sailors with Weapons Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducted the practical application portion of a multi-day Counter Improvised Explosive Device course at the Marine Corps Engineer School’s Home Station Training Lanes in Holly Ridge, North Carolina, May 20, 2015.
The course was split between classroom instruction and getting hands-on time with equipment to develop skills that can be utilize on a future deployment.
Once those portions of training were complete, it was time for the culminating event. The platoon was then given a scenario about a suspicious building in a nearby town that they needed to investigate. Split into three squads, the Marines and sailors had to create a plan for patrolling and searching for possible IEDs or enemies who could be hiding.
“We’ve been out here conducting counter IED training, and today [the squads] are going to do a security patrol and see how that’s going to work out,” said Sgt. Joel Earhart, a squad leader within the platoon. “We have an upcoming deployment next year so we’re doing everything we can to get ready.”
The squads patrolled one at a time, choosing their route and patrolling through the dense North Carolina shrubbery towards their target. Once they arrived at the town they went through buildings searching for simulated enemy personnel or IEDs.
Instructors monitored each squad from a distance, evaluating them on their techniques and detonating simulated IEDs and machine guns whenever they spotted a weak spot in their defenses. The squads regrouped after finishing the scenario and discussed the strengths and weaknesses they had while patrolling.
“I think getting the guys more awareness on the versatility of an IED and all the different things they need to be aware of when they’re out operating was the best part of the training,” said 1st Lt. Noah Miller, the Weapons Platoon Commander with Alpha Company. “IEDs are and are going to continue to be a major threat for U.S. forces, so we’re going to do this training as much as we can in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2015 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 164821 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Alpha Company, 1/8 conducts C-IED training, by Sgt Shawn Valosin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT