MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 and other supporting units who participated in Cloud Warrior 2003 at Camp Fuji, Japan returned to the Station July 12 with dirt on their face and motivation coursing through their veins.
The Marines from both units spent 30 days out in the Camp Fuji training area where they refreshed their Marine skills.
"The goal of Cloud Warrior 2003 was to give the Marines from both MWSS-171 and CSSD-36 the opportunity to strengthen basic skills while improving our other mission; the defense of the Station," said Capt. Jeffrey Garza, MWSS-171 company commander, Engineer Company.
For MWSS-171, the mission to defend the Station entails training that may require them to be in any environment and assume a tactical response for Marine Aircraft Group 12 or any other unit that may need their assistance.
During Cloud Warrior 2003, the Marines proved they are ready for the challenge by completing a variety of training exercises in poor weather conditions.
"It rained non-stop while we were there, but the morale was very high," said Garza.
With training evolutions such as land navigation, patrolling, force on force operations, small weapons and crew served weapons fire and basic demolitions, the Marines participating got their fill of being in the field.
"It was outstanding," exclaimed Sgt. Jayson Pittam, CSSD-36 Training chief. "The exercise got us out of our daily routine and back to getting down and dirty."
During the entire exercise small unit leadership was strongly emphasized, giving some of the sergeants and corporals their first opportunity to lead their young Marines.
"I learned you can't always be in charge, sometimes you have to look to the outside and be open minded to get the mission at hand done," said Pittam.
Lance Cpl. Dionis Diaz, CSSD-36 Embark clerk, applauded the hard work of his senior Marines and added, "the fire team leaders did a great job. I learned so much by watching the corporals and how they did things. The entire exercise taught me a great deal."