CAMP FUJI, Japan -- Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 conducted a field training exercise at Landing Zone Dove and LZ Flamingo during Exercise Eagle Warrior here Sept. 6 through 11.
For the exercise, the devil dogs broken into three different groups; the defensive force, the opposing force, and quick reaction force. The Marines rotated every two days, so they would be able to familiarize themselves with each group.
“This is what we get paid to do as a Marine wing support squadron,” said Sgt Maj. Fadrique Tarazon, MWSS-171 sergeant major and native of Fresno, Calif. “We set up a forward deployed airbase and support it from aviation support to basic security perimeters. This is where we earn our money. This type of training is tremendous, I don’t think we could do this anywhere else but Fuji.”
To make the training as real as possible, the Marines used a laser-tag system called Multipurpose Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) gear. The MILES gear was strapped on the Marine’s ‘782 gear and Kevlar helmets and emitted a sound when they were hit from the enemy. If a Marine was shot during the exercise, they were taken to medical to be ‘healed’ and brought back to fight.
“It’s like laser tag back home, but a little bit more serious” said Cpl. Thomas J. Marin, MWSS-171 military policeman and native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
With the MILES gear on, the defensive force dug fighting holes for hours around the camp and made a defensive field of fire interlocking with different fighting positions, so enemy forces couldn’t overrun the camp.
“It’s not that fun digging a fighting hole, it’s hard work. You have to put your back into it,” said Pfc. Juan E. Morales, MWSS-171 data technician and native of Detroit. “In my job, we really don’t get to do hard labor with our hands. Just in case we do have to go out there (Iraq) where we actually need to do this, we will know what to do. They (Opposing Force) would probably not survive an attack against our fighting hole. We are going to be sitting out here for two days, it’s a patience thing. Once they do come, we will take them down. We are the last line of defense and we have to be on our toes at all times.”
The Marines that were designated as the opposing force wore desert camouflage to distinguish themselves from the defending force and QRF. The opposing force, camped out a couple miles away at LZ Flamingo and looking for weakness in the perimeter would attack and harass the defense. The opposing force simulated varying levels of hostility from military squad assaults to local civilian protests.
“Their main mission is to harass and provide the training environment and scenarios for us to react to,” said Capt. Benjamin S. Krippendorf, MWSS-171 operations officer and native of Salem, N.H. “They do complete military squad assaults to local civilian protests. Basically, a spectrum of what you could expect and conquer in a forward operating area in the real world.”
The QRF provide the squadron with a response force capable of rapidly deploying to a special threat and provide security. Not only did the QRF patrol the surrounding area, but when the opposing force attacked the defense it was the QRF’s job to back them up.
“Our primary mission in the QRF is running security patrols around the perimeter of the base, going out and trying to find the opposing force,” said Marin. “I’m excited to fight the opposing force. It’s better than sitting in a fighting hole, especially when it rains. It’s not much fun. We can’t shoot them unless they (opposing force) shoot at us first. It doesn’t matter because they can’t shoot anyway. They will just be giving away their position.”
Because of the field exercise, the Marines were able to hone in on their basic warrior skills, something they are rarely provided an opportunity to do in Iwakuni.
“The main focus is to get the Marines back to the basics,” said Tarazon.