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1/3 raids urban headquarters

Story by Cpl. Jason E. Miller
Story Identification Number: 200321104937

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii(Jan. 16, 2003) -- SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - Today's battles can occur at any time and any place, which is why it's important for Marines to train in a variety of places and climates to achieve maximum versatility.

Bravo Co., 1st Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment, devil dogs boarded CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters Jan. 16, en route to Schofield Barracks' Military Operations in Urban Terrain training facility. The training area was comprised of nearly 20 buildings with multiple floors, and dozens of windows, vantage points and hiding places for the enemy.

The enemy in this particular exercise turned out to be 36 fellow 1/3 Marines from Alpha Co., which included the 3rd Marine Regiment's newly crowned super squad. The Alpha Co. Marines had arrived early in the afternoon to secure each of the buildings and prepare for the imminent attack from Bravo Co. machinegunners and riflemen topped each building to counter any advances that might be made.

The Bravo Co. Marines finally descended from the Schofield skies at nearly dusk, in an attempt to hide troop movement for a surprise attack sometime in the darkness. Each of the Marines was armed with blank ammunition and sensor activated battle gear.

Alpha Co. Marines noted several scouting patrols by Bravo Co. during the period before the attack.

The full moon provided the entrenched Marines plenty of visibility, especially with the aid of night vision goggles. Marines were seen and heard in nearly every direction and seemed to have nearly surrounded the entire MOUT facility.

More than five hours passed after the Bravo troops hit the ground before the attack actually began. Bravo Marines infiltrated the city from its south side in squad-sized columns at the beginning, but then began sending in Marines from all directions to overwhelm the defensive positions of Alpha Co., which quickly regressed to its headquarters in the city's center.

The attacking force met a substantial amount of resistance when trying to enter the headquarters compound, but eventually fought its way into the building after encountering numerous booby traps and ambush points to slow the assault.

The numbers and firepower of Bravo Co. eventually broke the back of the Alpha Co. resistance to capture the city.