Marines overcame simulated improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, chaos, the “fog of war,” room to room clearing, close quarters combat and screaming Iraqi villagers, all aspects of war during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. June 28.
Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, trained with Hollywood-grade special effects at MCAS Miramar in preparation for deployment to Iraq.
The Marines, in conjunction with Stu Segall Productions and Strategic Operations, have a state-of-the-art training program that emphasizes the realities of combat.
The training provided by SO is unique. Not only are all of the “bad guys” provided by SO, but special effects artists create realistic weapons effects and explosions.
Included in the training are simulated rocket propelled grenades, mines improvised explosive devices and medical injuries caused by the “explosions.”
“We provide everything the Marines need,” said Kit Lavell, executive vice president, strategic operations. “Smoke, noise and explosions add to the realism of the training and help to simulate the ‘fog of war’ effect.”
According to Armando Alarcon, a tactical role-player, with SO, the major advantage this training provides is not realism, but learning how to react to how the opposition behaves. Because most of the “terrorists” are former military service members, they have a broad understanding of how the Marines will operate.
“When Marines train against Marines, they act like Marines,” said Ashraf Rabadi, tactical role-player, SO. “But we don’t, we use unconventional tactics to put these Marines into situations that they are not used to.”
The first portion of the training evolution consisted of classroom instruction and room clearing techniques in what is called the ‘shooting house’ at SSP.
In the shooting house, the Marines practiced close-quarters combat and room-to-room clearing techniques and communications. However, the role-players were no slouches. High volumes of fire and returning grenades to the Marines were all situations Marines had to overcome. When a Marine was shot, he was down and had to be dragged to safety by his fellow Marines.
“Being a former member of the military myself, I know that when you train against each other it can turn into a paintball fight,” said Alarcon. “We are here to train them and put them into situations they don’t want to be in; it’s better that way.”
After the scenarios at the studio, the Marines moved to MCAS Miramar for convoy and military operations on urbanized terrain.
Marines loaded up into their vehicles and in a convoy went to East Miramar’s MOUT village. On the way, an IED was set off on the lead vehicle. It was time for the Marines to provide security and assess the situation.
“We’ve had Marines experience flashbacks during our training because it is so realistic,” said Lavell. “Because of this some units have decided to bring along a chaplain.”
The simulation started with Marines moving into the dusty, Iraqi village with villagers going about their business. The peace was shattered when an RPG hit a broken-down truck on the edge of the village.
The role-players acted as bloodied Iraqis and an “injured” Marine laid on the ground screaming in pain.
All of the injuries are Hollywood tricks, but, as in the movies, the blood, burns and missing limbs look disturbingly real.
“We try to have the Marines who haven’t experienced combat experience it here,” Lavell said. “Mistakes will be made, and we want the Marines to make them and learn from them here, instead of in Iraq.”
The general consensus from the Marines was that this was good training and more realistic than expected.
“This training felt very real, it was awesome,” said Lance Cpl. Antonio King, Weapons Co. 1/24 “This training was motivating; this is why I joined the Marine Corps!”
“This training is superb, it induces high stress and a huge challenge for Marines,” said Maj. Gregory Cramer, commanding officer, Weapons Company, 1/24. “I believe that is what we need to be successful in Iraq.”