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1/3 storms Bellows, MCBH

Story by Lance Cpl. Monroe F. Seigle
Story Identification Number: 200313116230

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(Jan. 22, 2003) -- An American embassy in an unstable country has several innocent people trapped inside. Marines are given the mission to insert themselves tactically within the walls of the embassy and evacuate the individuals before armies of angry nationals raid the building.

It is for situations like these that more than 400 Marines from 1st Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment; Combat Service Support Group 3; Combat Support Company, 3rd Marine Regiment; Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362; and 12 Army soldiers from Charlie Co., 1st Bn., 25th Aviation Regiment, train for.

The Marines and soldiers conducted a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation at Marine Corps Training Area, Bellows and at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Jan. 21 - 22.

In reality, an embassy is one of the many places a NEO could take place.

"This is some very valuable training that the Marines are conducting," said 2nd Lt. Dustin Shumney, a platoon commander for Bravo Co., 1/3. "We are training for real world situations. Situations like this one are very likely to happen - especially during the war on terrorism."

When the Marines from Bravo Co. received orders for day one of the NEO, they jumped into action and moved quickly and furiously. Several Amphibious Assault Vehicles transported them to the beaches of Bellows.

After storming ashore, the hard-charging devil dogs surrounded the mock embassy and set up a perimeter of security. This enabled the Marines to control access to the embassy.

Helicopters then inserted Marines from Alpha Co., 1/3, into the compound. Which also established security within the embassy and determined who was authorized inside.

Once security was assured inside and outside of the embassy, Marines evacuated the trapped individuals to a helicopter.

Meanwhile, an angry mob of nationals formed outside and threatened to compromise the progress of the mission. Marines were challenged to keep the crowd under control and ensure no one without authorization entered the secure perimeter.

"This training was a very valuable learning experience," said Cpl. Herlon DaCruz, a squad leader for Bravo, 1/3. "This was as close to a real combat situation that we can get."

During the second day of the operation, Alpha Co., 1/3, established a remote site for the NEO at Pyramid Rock Beach aboard MCB Hawaii.

Meantime, six Army OH-58D (R) Kiowa Warrior Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters provided the unit with close combat attacks in support of the NEO, as well as landing zone reconnaissance and security.

"This exercise was a great opportunity to plan, train with and execute realistic training with highly trained Marines," said Army Capt. Daniel J. McAuliffe, commander of the Charlie Co. "Outlaws."

All in all, the NEO provided some much-needed training in preparation for the units' upcoming Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation and for future deployments.

"The Marines from 1/3 performed all tasks assigned superbly," said Capt. Tom Tennant, commanding officer, Alpha Co., 1/3. "A NEO op is not as cut and dry as a normal offensive or defensive operation. It requires a great deal of communication and flexibility."