MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- In an effort to build up antiterrorism capabilities, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Motor Transportation Company spent the better part of May 13 patrolling the perimeter and securing the facility.
MWSS-171, in a crawl, walk, run mentality, are transitioning themselves to a more combat ready unit one step at a time by participating in a random antiterrorism measures exercise.
"Our role as MWSS-171 is air base ground defense. In order for the Marines to be ready for this role, they need to know the proper basic techniques," said Staff Sgt. Ariel Harper, MWSS-171 Motor Transportation, company gunnery sergeant. "Today was just the early stages of what the Marines will be doing in months to come."
The crawl portion for the Marines included securing the building and establishing one entry and exit point for personnel and vehicles. From there, identification cards were checked, vehicles were searched and patrols along concertina wire were made.
"We want the Marines to have the basic techniques down before we go into more things," said Harper. "We have to do the basics continuously because most of our Marines are on one-year tours. So when we get a new crop in here we have to start over."
The day before the exercise began, Harper said the Marines all wore their gas masks throughout the day in another effort to get them accustomed to their gear. In the following days, the Marines will wear flaks and their gas masks throughout the workday.
"If the Marines are used to their gear being on them, then they will have no problem wearing it in combat," stated Harper.
The exercise and the gear did not seem to bother Lance Cpl. Juan Depaz, as he patrolled in the pouring rain.
"This is not something I thought I would be doing when I became a Motor T operator, but I realize the importance of it and I enjoy it," said Depaz, who was participating in his first exercise with MWSS-171.
Depaz and his fellow Marines at MWSS-171 can look forward to future exercises of this nature as the squadron continues to prepare itself for the unexpected.
"We are going to try and do everything we can on this Station. It may be small, but you have to crawl before you can run," said Harper.