MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 conducted a Mobility Exercise Jan. 21-22 to further improve the unit's short notice deployment capabilities.
Throughout the exercise 450 Marines prepared and transported the same equipment they would need if actually called upon for a real-world operation.
In addition, the Marines went on an 18-mile squadron-wide convoy around the Station.
"The training has been in the works for awhile and is not in response to deployment orders or any other current operation or exercise," said Maj. Brad McNamara, MWSS-171 operations officer. "We just want to make sure that we are ready to deploy on short notice and judge how effectively we can accomplish this."
The Marines were recalled in full combat gear and had seabags and alice packs staged and ready for deployment. The equipment was loaded onto pallets and then loaded onto Logistical Vehicle Systems trailers.
"We wanted to simulate everything that would have to be done in the event of a movement," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Lee, Motor Transport maintenance chief. "The convoy's purpose is to make sure that all of our equipment is in order and ready to go."
During the exercise more than 100 pieces of equipment were put to the test including humvees, 5-ton trucks, LVSs and forklifts. All of the vehicles made three laps around the Station covering 18 miles.
"The convoy went in two waves," said Lee. "The first wave was for our immediate forces, and the second was to see how effectively we could deploy all of our remaining equipment."
The squadron put in an inordinate amount of planning and effort during the exercise to ensure it is prepared for anything, according to Cpl. Jammal Walker, MWSS-171 safety noncommissioned officer.
"Waking up at three in the morning and getting straight to work is rough, but we really needed the training. If something were to happen we would need to get out of here quick, so we have to be ready for that," said Walker.
The squadron was able to deploy their troops around the base and the training gave them a perspective on how quick they could deploy if needed.
"Deploying a squadron our size can be very confusing, and by conducting these rehearsals we can take some of that confusion out of the equation," said McNamara. "During the MOBEX we were able to learn from our mistakes, and in the end we conducted a very successful exercise."