Platoon trains to recover isolated personnel

9/2/2011 By Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter , 11th MEU

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.

A platoon with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit learned the importance of recovering troops trapped behind enemy lines during a course here Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

Third Platoon, Company L, transported by the unit's aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), participated in classroom lectures, practical applications and simulated full-scale missions during the four-day Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel course.

Company L is the unit’s second rifle company to participate in the course since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May.

The course, hosted by I Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group, trains small forces on what equipment to recover or destroy on aircraft, and to how quickly return isolated personnel to friendly lines.

Before the course started, platoon commander 1st Lt. Scott D. Williams spoke to those in his charge about the importance of becoming a proficient TRAP platoon.

“Our first mission is to ask questions, learn, and understand the information that is taught” said Williams, a 31-year-old Oviedo, Fla., native. “Our second mission is to communicate to our highers that we can be a go-to force when needed.”

The training comes less than a year after a U.S. Air Force pilot was rescued in Libya by Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Company L is one of three rifle companies with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the unit, scheduled to deploy this fall.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Team leader Cpl. Gerrick J. Watkins, right, and fellow squad members rehearse exiting a CH-46E Sea Knight parked on an air-station apron here Aug. 30 during a four-day course in which Company L riflemen learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Watkins is a 21-year-old Dallas native., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 8/30/2011 12:16 PM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Team leader Cpl. Timur Y. Oljuskin frees a dummy simulating a tree-entangled parachutist Aug. 31 during a four-day course here in which Company L riflemen learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Oljuskin, 22, is from Oshkosh, Wis. He serves with Company L., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 8/31/2011 7:35 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Platoon sergeant Staff Sgt. Derek Clayton, right, counts passing Marines here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which Company L riflemen learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Clayton is a 30-year-old Toms River, N.J., native., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 7:14 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Squads of Marines and one sailor move from a landing zone here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which Company L service members learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 11:30 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Machine gunner Lance Cpl. Cody Rutherford calls out to fellow squad members here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which Company L service members learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Rutherford is a 21-year-old Germfask, Mich., native. He serves with Company L. , Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 11:38 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Company L service members aid a role player here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which one of the company’s platoons learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 11:43 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Team leader Cpl. Adam Patton provides security here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which Company L service members learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Patton is a 24-year-old Reno, Nev., native., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 11:43 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Squad leader Sgt. Cyle H. Nickerson takes a knee here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which Company L service members learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course. Nickerson, 25, hails from Onalaska, Wis., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 11:45 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Service members prepare to board a CH-46E Sea Knight here Sept. 1 during a four-day course in which Company L service members learned to recover downed or lost pilots and personnel. Company L is one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground-combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Pilots from the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), flew helicopters in support of the course., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 9/1/2011 11:59 AM