• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Marines review OIF, revise procedures

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 2/5/2004

Story by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson

CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan(Feb. 2, 2004) -- Looking for solutions to challenges and bottlenecks that I Marine Expeditionary Force faced during Operation Iraqi Freedom, III MEF Marines island-wide participated in Supply Support Exercise 1-04 from Jan. 20-30.

This exercise was unique in that it was devised and led by senior staff-noncommissioned officers, and executed by noncommissioned officers and junior Marines. Further, it partnered Supply and Communications Marines in a focused, practical exercise aimed at ensuring III MEF can get the right supply support to its warriors on the battlefield.

Some of the major supply-related problems experienced during OIF included reliably transmitting supply requests from the front lines to supporting units, incompatible software configurations, and lack of user training and confidence in the computer software.

This exercise focused on fixing those problems and identifying potential problems for future operations. Participating units submitted their regular daily supply requirements in the same fashion they would on deployment, breaking down the lines between "garrison" support and "deployed" support.

"The exercise implements real life trial and error. If the unit needs a part, they request it through the same means that they would use on deployment, and in turn, the supporting combat service support element handles it the same way they would handle it in a deployed setting," said Sgt. Jason C. Rankin, warehouse chief for Deployed Support Unit, 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion. "We are teaching our supported units how to lean on and trust their supporting combat service support detachments. Marines at both ends are learning more about how to do their jobs in combat."

To take this exercise from idea to reality, the senior enlisted supply and communications Marines from all of the major subordinate commands within III MEF joined forces to draw out a plan of action. Once they worked out the bugs in concept, it was time to put the plan to the test.

In order to address the data transmission challenges, the Marines sought out a variety of ways to send supply requests up and down the chain, using equipment already found within III MEF. They successfully used the AN/PSC-5 VIASAT radio to send information much like they would use the Internet in their garrison settings.

According to Rankin, the exercise provided a good training opportunity for all Marines involved.

"Most of the Marines in the communication occupational field have used these radios to transmit information, but not to send real supply requisitions. The supply Marines pretty much have never used these tactical means of transmission, so this is great training," the Coffee Creek, Calif., native said. "This affords them all the opportunity to expand their skills and training."

Once the communications flow was smooth, they focused on the computer software and user training challenges. Marines in III MEF use the Asset Tracking Logistics And Supply System-1 to order and track supply requests. After setting up deployed ATLASS configurations for the participating units, they focused on training Marines how to use the system properly.

Rankin said that the exercise trained Marines who would return to their units and pass on the training to their Marines.

After the exercise ended, all participants planned to gather to conduct a review of lessons learned, and to incorporate those into their standard operating procedures for deployments. The senior enlisted Marines who planned and executed the exercise will be preparing an after-action brief for the commanding general of 3d FSSG and the commanding general of III MEF.

Marines taking part in the training say that the exercise has been beneficial to them because they are learning things that can be used in real life situations.

"This training is beneficial because when you are out in the jungle or desert, you might not have Internet access, and you need to know how to get your supply needs met by using some other means," said Lance Cpl. Antonio Zavalablanco, supply administration clerk for Materiel Readiness Company, 3rd MRB.