MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With battle-clad security and M1151 Enhanced Armament Carriers about, it is clear Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 has mobilized for its annual in-house training exercise,
Thunder Horse 2009.
The five-day evolution that ended May 22 at the athletic fields near Penny Lake is a build-up exercise, giving the Marines refresher training on convoy operations and other common field procedures for the squadron’s upcoming deployments.
“Everybody has to start from the basics,” said Gunnery Sgt. Matthew F. Byers, MWSS-171 maintenance platoon chief. “We have to use what we have right now. If we continue to wait and wait and wait, we’ll probably never get any training done.”
The different companies are taught by their peers how their own jobs apply in the field environment. Also included are classes on identifying improvised explosive devices, security patrols and reaction drills.
“A lot of training takes place within the sections,” said Byers. “We have a good mix of (noncommissioned officers) who have been to Iraq or Afghanistan, and they’re more than willing to offer their advice to those who haven’t gone.”
Among those is a large group of junior Marines carrying out their first assignment overseas. Although some have the opportunity to fill individual augmentee billets during their tour here, the majority gain experience through training exercises like Thunder Horse.
“For me, this is what it’s all about,” said Pfc. Donard M. Ebana, a motor transportation operator. “It’s not too bad out here and we’re learning a lot of important things. Mostly, I’m learning about my leadership, learning how to communicate with (leadership) better in the field.”
Since he arrived at the squadron six months ago, Ebana has participated in as much training as his job allows. After recent deployments to the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji and Yecheon Air Base ,Republic of Korea, he is waiting for his chance to head to the Philippines for Exercise Talon Vision 2009.
“Each exercise lets me see a different side of my job and a different side of my NCOs,” said Ebana. “I’m trying to learn as much as I can from them so when they leave, I’ll know exactly what to do.”
At the motor transportation company, combat veterans are tasked with showing other Marines the ropes in the field environment. Everything from coaching with job skill sets to coping with combat stress are their responsibilities.
Cpl. Ryan M. Nelson, a motor transportation operator, is Ebana’s immediate mentor and said he is devoted to teaching the Marines who will soon take his place.
“Ebana is doing great out here,” said Nelson. “He’s getting classes on things he needs to know, mostly convoy operations — but you can find that stuff on YouTube. When we do these types of exercises, I put myself in the
mindset of, “OK. I’m in Iraq right now,” so instead of just going through the motions, we’re embedding these skills into his mind like muscle memory.”
Nelson has had plenty of time to decide whento go by the books and when to resort to street smarts.
Many Marines receive the same training while at Thunder Horse, but most importantly, the exercise is a time for those experienced individuals to get their peers caught up for future field operations.
“Even though this camp is small, it’s still a pretty legitimate forward operating base,” Nelson said. “Even though we got the barracks right there and cars driving by, it can still be pretty realistic for everyone. It’s good
for these Marines. I can tell.”