MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. --
Alpha Company, Marine Barracks Washington,
D.C., conducted military operations in urban terrain on Range UTC-B MOUT Town,
Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Oct. 15, 2015. The training was intended to increase fire team
and squad level proficiency.
The Marines participated in four different drills which
included: immediate action drills in response to sniper fire, exterior
movement, interior movement and room clearing, and how to operate a vehicle control
point.
“We hope this helps the Marines be confident in their
ability to conduct combat operations in a MOUT environment and build on the
knowledge level of the individual Marine,” said Gunnery Sgt. Justin Bradley, company
gunnery sergeant, A Co.
The interior drills focused on clearing rooms and how to
communicate as a fire team. The Marines first breached the door by kicking it
and used different techniques such as crossing over and button hooks to move
through the entrance. The fire team then worked together to clear the house in
an efficient manner, always covering doorways and unsecured areas.
The exterior drills focused on moving from building to
building with the use of RIGS which stands for recon, isolate, gain foothold
and secure. The three elements of the squad, the assault fire team, the support
fire team and the security fire team advanced in subsequent order and secured
the designated structure.
During the immediate action drills, the Marines patrolled
through the MOUT Town while receiving simulated sniper fire. The Marines under
fire took covered positions to suppress the enemy while another element of
their squad maneuvered to the sniper’s position.
“The sniper drills were a new addition to the MOUT training
we usually do,” said Cpl. David Worrell, squad leader, 1st platoon, A Co.. “We
were building on the fundamentals of being a rifleman, by closing with the
enemy in a new way.”
The last training scenario was the vehicle control
checkpoint. The Marines set up defensive positions and barricades to prevent
the vehicle from advancing. The squad leader then shouted commands to the
driver. Meanwhile the Marines moved the occupants away from the vehicle so it
could be searched for weapons or any other type of munitions. The Marines then restrained
the occupants and searched them.
“All in all this was great training,” said Lance Cpl. Alex
Jarbo, squad leader, 2nd platoon, A Co. The new Marines learned a lot and the
Marines who are transferring from the Barracks got a great refresher before
moving to a new unit.