WTI 2-18 conducts AST-3, integrates ACE and GCE

Photo By Lance Cpl. Joel Soriano | AU.S. Marines CH-53 Super Stallion assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One extract out of a secure LZ during assault support tactics three as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-18 in Yuma, Ariz., on April. 20, 2018. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron One cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joel Soriano)  

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

04.23.2018

Story by Sgt. David Bickel 

Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1

Marines from multiple units across the Marine Corps conducted the third iteration of Assault Support Tactics as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-18 throughout various locations over Marine Corps Installations West., April 20.

AST-3 specifically focused on non-combatant evacuation operations, giving WTI students another opportunity to work directly with the ground combat element and assist them in completing a Marine Air Ground Task Force centered mission set.

“We got on birds around 1630 and headed out to the evacuation site,” said Private First Class Tyler Marshall, a Marine with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines security element. “The goal is to secure the perimeter, extract the necessary personnel and have all our guys off the ground before 2200.”

The iteration started with pilots offloading infantry Marines who then set a perimeter around a designated area.

“Right now we are conducting landing zone security in correlation with AST-3,” said Sgt. Garry Dodd III, an AST-3 supervisor. “We have role players functioning as local nationals portraying different levels of hostility our troops will face when they are conducting operations like this.”

The mission took place at several different locations allowing Marines to experience crowd control and non-combatant techniques at various escalation levels.

“There are multiple units spread out across three different locations within Twentynine Palms and several locations back in Yuma,” said Dodd. “Each location is dealing with different types of environments ranging from extremely cooperative American citizens, to legitimate hostile role players.”

WTI students were forced to conduct landings in unfamiliar territory, on-loading and off-loading procedures and various extraction drills throughout the iteration.

“The coordination of the air and ground working together is a valuable training piece within WTI,” said Sgt. Ryan Creamer, a role player for AST-3. “It’s huge to see the security piece working with the people actually communicating with the aircraft from the ground to actually fulfill a successful extract.”

Marines from the GCE and ACE received valuable training from AST-3 that they are otherwise not exposed to on a regular basis.

“The best way for us to operate and fight together is to train together,” said Creamer. “That’s exactly what AST-3 accomplished today.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2018
• Date Posted: 04.27.2018 12:11
• Story ID: 274672
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US