MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The combat engineers attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 recently practiced setting up a hasty protective minefield near the paintball range here.
The engineers were divided into groups in an effort to familiarize them with mines.
"The point of this exercise is to make our Marines proficient at placing mines," said Staff Sgt. Corey M. Crawford, MWSS-171 construction foreman.
In order for the Marines to learn how to set up a hasty mine field, a period of instruction was necessary.
"In the morning I gave them a class on how to properly set up and plot a minefield,? said Cpl. Robin M. Baker, MWSS-171 combat engineer. "The Marines lay the mines and record their location for their group, and then the next day they will switch information between groups and try to find each other's mines."
In addition to improving the unit?s basic knowledge of mines, this exercise was done with the future of the Marines in mind.
"Recently we have noticed that the Marines have been getting orders to 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. Once there, they will do a lot more field exercises than what they have done here," said Crawford. "Because we are at an air wing the engineers do not get as much field experience compared to those at Camp Pendleton. Not only that but with the current war situation, any of these Marines can be asked to set up a minefield. With this knowledge they will be proficient and reliable."
Baker added that "this helps reiterate what they learned at school, sharpen skills and puts them ahead of the Marines without the training."
Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Olufsen, MWSS-171 combat engineer, said he is glad he had the opportunity to participate in this exercise.
"This exercise taught me more about setting up land mines and a hasty protective land field," he added. "It feels good to get out of the warehouse and get a taste of what the MOS is all about."