MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Exercise Bulldozer remained true to its name Saturday as engineers from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 used heavy equipment to repair a 300-meter stretch of dirt road here.
The Marines practiced and broadened their skills behind a D7-G bulldozer while performing much-needed repairs on a main service route used by the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.
The service members first used the “rippers,” large metal teeth on the rear of the D7-G, to loosen the dirt. Once the soil was sufficiently broken up, the Marines made a marking cut by pushing the dirt with the front blade of the bulldozer.
The marking cut evens the dirt out and gives a general idea of what the road is going to look like, said Sgt. Jonathan D. Gables, MWSS-171 heavy equipment operator and Baltimore native. It’s the fist step to making the rough terrain more accessible.
Some of the engineers have had little experience with the D7-G, and the day’s work gave Marines a chance to get some time in the machine.
“We really don’t get a lot of work with the dozer in Iwakuni,” said Pfc. John B. Renyck, MWSS-171 heavy equipment operator and Pittsburgh native. “That’s why this is great; we get to practice with the D7 - making these marking cuts.”
Once the bulldozer’s work was finished, it was time to finish leveling the ground with the grader. The grader uses a large blade to evenly scrape the dirt and can be angled to give the road a particular grade to allow for water runoff.
Finally, the Marines used a compactor to roll over the soil and give the road a smooth, even look. By compressing the dirt, the road will also be less likely to deteriorate with frequent traffic.
Chief Warrant Officer Marlon T. Porche, MWSS-171 engineer equipment officer and Baton Rouge, La., native, was glad his engineers could get some practice with the equipment, especially the D7-G, and feels the day’s work is also a gesture of appreciation towards our host country.
“This was just one thing we found to do (while in Fuji),” said Porche. “It gives us a chance to improve the road for the Japanese while getting practice with the D7-G dozer … and we got the mission done quickly and efficiently.”