MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Just like in the Hollywood action dramas, a helicopter swoops down from the cold winter clouds and hovers over a building filled with villains and hostages. With Rambo like abilities, a team of specially trained warriors fast rope out of the helicopter onto the rooftop. They breach the roof with explosives and jump into the unknown. Within minutes the enemy is taken out, mission accomplished.
As part of Exercise Active Shield, the Special Reaction Team and Japan Ground Self Defense 46th Infantry Regiment participated in a hostage rescue scenario at the old Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility here, Dec. 16.
“The idea behind the exercise is to test our tactical response in a hostage rescue situation,” said the SRT commander. “The exercise pitted SRT, JGSDF and EOD working as one unit.”
The scenario had two hostiles and two hostages in two buildings. SRT was split into two teams with support from the JGSDF.
“It’s a big help having JGSDF support,” remarked a SRT member. “With a building that size, it’s easier to clear the rooms with more people.”
The exercise kicked off with the first team commencing a ground assault on the first building through a window.
“Rushing into the building through the window and clearing each room, went by very fast,” said a SRT member. “We train for this type of scenario a lot.”
Simultaneously, the second team fast roped from a helicopter on to the rooftop of the second building.
“Fast roping out of the helicopter allows us to get to the scene faster,” explained a SRT member. “Training out of a helicopter definitely builds your confidence because it’s just you, the rope and about 30 feet worth of adrenaline.”
Once in the building, SRT faced off against opponents who fought back with simulation rounds.
“Using simulated rounds during the exercise made the training realistic,” said a SRT member. “If someone is shooting at you, you are going to have to shoot back.”
In all of the chaos, SRT swarmed the building and took out the enemies and rescued the hostages.
The training concluded when the simulated bad guys were arrested and taken into custody.
“The exercise was a great success,” said the SRT commander. “We have been training with the JGSDF for the past year and a half. Training exercises like Active Shield have developed our relationship with them.”
“The training was awesome,” smiled a SRT member. “We were able to shoot weapons and jump out of helicopters. What else could a guy want?”