MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Combat Engineers Operations Company Marines conducted patrols aboard the station here Feb. 29.
Patrol training is a way for non-infantry Marines to adapt to an infantry roll in a combat situation, should the need arise.
“These Marines aren’t grunts, but they may one day find themselves in a combat situation and need to adapt to the circumstances of their environment,” said Staff Sgt. W. Bazile, MWSS-171 heavy equipment mechanic.
During the patrol, the MWSS-171 Marines and sailors trained for several scenarios, including taking contact from enemy forces, patrolling in urban environments and large open areas, how to maneuver through and across danger areas, and how to evacuate a casualty and call in air support. Some of the tactics used to maneuver obstacles were bounding and “pieing” windows and doors as the Marines moved past them.
Several times throughout the patrol, Bazile kept the Marines readily alert by calling out contact from any direction, calling air raids and even designating a casualty to show the Marines the proper way to conduct a casualty evacuation.
“We need to make sure these Marines are ready for anything,” said Bazile. “Danger or any type of threat can come at any time in a combat zone.”
The layout of the patrol area consumed a large part of the station, including the old flightline.
“I studied every part of this base to come up with a good training route,” said Bazile.
According to Sgt. Orly N. Malabanan, MWSS-171 engineer operations company heavy equipment operator, many challenges were overcome to train the Marines on proper infantry techniques, to have the best patrol route available and to use rubber rifles for a more realistic training experience.
“I give credit to (Staff Sgt.) Bazile and (Sgt.) Malabanan,” said Master Sgt. Chris J. Mifflin, MWSS-171 combat engineer operations chief. “They set up the training, did the research and executed the plan alongside other noncommissioned officers throughout the company. I am confident now that if we are called to do this in a real-life combat situation, we would be able to provide security and support other mission-essential tasks.”
No matter what one’s military occupational specialty may be, there comes a time when that Marine may find himself in a combat environment. The training provided to these combat engineers will help prepare them for such an event.o