Combat Logistics Battalion 4 Marines on Okinawa search for improvised explosive devices during predeployment training

11.20.2008

Story by Cpl. Michael Bianco 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Michael Bianco
III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan - Approximately 200 Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, participated in an improvised explosive device course Nov. 17-20.

Instructors in the course taught the Marines how to identify IEDs to better prepare them for deployment.

"A lot of the guys out here have never had experience with IEDs," said Jerry Rodriguez, an instructor of the course and retired explosive ordnance disposal technician.

"We want them to get accustomed to it now so they have a better idea in [the future]," Rodriguez said, referring to other predeployment training the Marines of CLB 4 will conduct early next year.

The Marines traveled in convoys of four Humvee with four to five man teams in each vehicle searching for IEDs. The Marines approached with caution when a possible IED was spotted.

The convoy halted and the Marines exited the humvee to search and assess the area for a possible explosive.

When an IED was found, the Marine was instructed to stop and yell firecracker to confirm its presence and indicate its location to the other Marines.

In addition to recognizing IEDs, the instructors prepared the Marines for the worst.

"Marines need to be ready for not only the explosion, but also what comes afterward," Rodriguez said, referring to the casualties and damage to equipment and vehicles resulting from the blast.

During the scenarios, service members treated the wounded and secured, repaired or towed immobile vehicles before moving on to the next check point.

Both instructors and students of the course said it was successful in its mission to prepare the Marines.

"This did a lot for us," said Lance Cpl. James Feeley, a logistics vehicle system operator with CLB 4. "We were able to find out our strengths and weakness," he said, pointing out that communication between vehicles was difficult at times.

The instructors drove home the importance of being prepared for IEDs.

"Your radios aren't always going to work and you're not always going to be able to hear your counterparts in other vehicles," Rodriguez said.

"That's why you always have to keep a look out and be ready to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the Marines around you."

• Date Taken: 11.20.2008
• Date Posted: 11.25.2008 23:56
• Story ID: 26806