CAMP FUJI, Japan -- Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 motor transport company teamed up with the base Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines to conduct an exercise which simulated a convoy maneuvering through a combat zone riddled with enemy combatants and improvised explosive devices here June 22.
The obstacles for the combat convoy course were designed by the EOD Marines from Camp Fuji in order to give training units aboard the base some of the most realistic training possible. Because IED’s and convoy attacks continue to be one of the leading causes of casualties in Iraq, the training evolution focused on executing immediate action drills without hesitation and also getting the Marines used to the sound and shock wave of explosives.
Four explosive charges were set up; two simulated IED’s designed to take out the lead and rear vehicle, one antipersonnel and one explosive filled with flour simulating a chemical or biological threat.
“The Marines need to know that their main purpose during a convoy is to deliver supplies or get medical assistance to the Marines out there in the trenches fighting,” said 1st Lt. Rodney K. Mims, MWSS-171 motor transport operations officer. “Their main purpose in life is not for the convoy to stop, but for it to continue. To do that effectively they need to know how to react to certain situations they may encounter while in combat.”
The seven-vehicle convoy traveled five miles through the dense fog that rolls down from Mount Fuji unknowing of where or when the attack would come. At the same time, more than 15 Marines from MWSS-171 air operations company were anxiously awaiting to attack the convoy from their concealed positions in the thick roadside vegetation.
“This was a basic resupply convoy with friendly forces in the area, but we also received (intelligence) that there was a guerilla force in the area that would attempt to delay the convoy so we wouldn’t be able to resupply the ground troops,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Berglund, MWSS-171 motor transport chief and convoy commander.
When the convoy reached the ‘kill zone’ two explosives consisting of coiled detonation cord were detonated. The first IED disabled the rear vehicle in the convoy and the second IED took out the lead vehicle, which boxed the convoy and all Motor Transport Marines for the awaiting aggressors.
“I heard the first IED go off and I just started looking around, nobody knew where it came from,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher Oliveri, MWSS-171 quality control representative for motor transport operations. “Then we started to hear gunfire coming from all directions. All the sudden, someone yelled ‘contact left!’ So my fire team dismounted the 7-ton and ran around the left side of the truck to get our position and then just started firing. It was awesome, plus we got to take a few (prisoners of war) in the process.”
The Marines who played the role of the attacking guerilla force also received valuable ambush and cover and concealment training.
“When the convoy came through and the first IED went off, we charged through and basically killed all of Motor T,” said Lance Cpl. Eric Chase, MWSS-171 fuels transporter.
This unique training evolution gave all the Marines participating a little taste of what they may see if ever sent into a combat zone.
“I don’t think you could’ve gotten any more real aside from having real casualties,” said Berglund. “I’ve been in the Marine Corps a while and this was the first time I’ve heard explosives go off 15 feet from my vehicle. This was a great evolution, it really hit home with me.”