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Iron Fist: CAB supports 3rd MarDiv mobility

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 2/22/2004

Story by Lance Cpl. Ryan Walker

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan -- Packed into Assault Amphibious Vehicles and Light Armored Vehicles, Marines stormed the beaches and jungles of the central training area here Feb. 10-12 to perfect the effectiveness of the `Task Force Iron Fist' concept.

Under the new vision, Task Force Iron Fist would have infantry units attached to support the Task Force as a security force.

Engineer Co. would operate as the breeching force, LAR Co. would conduct reconnaissance and security, and the command element would provide the Battalion with the required support to sustain the mission.

Marines of Combat Assault Battalion conducted the training evolution in an attempt to revolutionize mobility within the 3rd Marine Division.

"The mission of `Iron Fist' is to provide mobility for the Division through its use of light armored reconnaissance, mechanized armored mobility and engineers, to provide breeching and forward passage of lines for combat units," said Maj. Brian F. Seiffert, AAV company commander.

This is a concept of CAB's internal capabilities and organic assets revolving around its light armored reconnaissance capabilities, breeching capabilities with engineers, coupled with the abilities of medium armored mobility, according to Seiffert.

"Marines will be perfecting CAB's abilities to conduct forward passage of lines in order to facilitate the momentum of combat power toward specific objectives," said Capt. Mellville J. Walters, company commander, Headquarters and Service Company.

The 'Iron Fist' concept was developed to maintain the Battalion's integrity. Often, units within CAB are detached from the battalion and sent to support infantry units and their missions.

"By maintaining CAB's integrity as an independent maneuver element, it gives the organization a definite mission to train for," said Seiffert. "This will maintain staff focus allowing them to develop tactics, techniques and command relations required by an organization to be successful and exploited as an asset other than a force provider to the Division."

With 'Iron Fist' implemented, infantry units will attach to CAB as an asset rather than a force provider to the Division.

"'Iron Fist' is an important part of the Division," said Master Gunnery Sgt. John F. Singleton, Operations Chief. "It's a capability that has not been used as an independent maneuver element in the past."