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Familiarization is key in preparing for unit deployment to Mongolia

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 5/17/2004

Story by Pfc. T. J. Kaemmerer

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (May 7, 2004) -- Marines currently with the Exercise Khaan Quest '04 detachment conducted combat skills training May 3-7 in the Central Training Area in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Mongolia.

According to Staff Sgt. Douglas J. Rodenberger, platoon sergeant, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, the Marines will be teaching the Mongolians the skills, tactics and weapons systems Marines employ on the battlefield.

In an effort to be fully prepared, the Marines participated in a refresher course on heavy, medium and light machine guns, the M16A2 service rifle and the M9 service pistol.

Along with weapons systems, the Marines will instruct the Mongolians on counter mobility, convoy operations and security, bunker and barrier plans. The Mongolians are deploying to Iraq shortly after the bilateral training exercise. This will improve the interoperability between U.S. Marines and the Mongolians in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, explained Rodenberger.

"During Exercise Khaan Quest '04 these Marines will be training the Mongolians and vice versa. The training we're doing here is giving the Marines the tools they need for success," said Rodenberger. "It allows them to improve their skills and will eventually enhance the training for the Mongolians."

According to Lance Cpl. Marcos Arredondo, patrolman, Military Police Support Element, 3rd FSSG, the Marines received a day of classroom instruction on the M2 .50 caliber and the MK19 40mm heavy machine guns before they began firing the weapons in the field.

"We had good instructors who made sure we knew everything before we went down range to shoot," said Pfc. Jason M. Anderson, combat engineer, 9th ESB, 3rd FSSG. "I gained a lot of knowledge about all the weapons and I feel more proficient than I would have without this refresher."

In the field, the Marines spent hours learning to disassemble and reassemble the machine guns. When the Marines knew where each part of the weapon belonged they started firing.

"This is good training," said Lance Cpl. Shane J. Wilson, combat engineer, 9th ESB, 3rd FSSG. "Now we have the basic skills (to use the automatic weapons) so if we needed to we could use them."

After firing, the Marines came back to Camp Hansen where they cleaned the weapons at the armory. Even the daunting task of scraping carbon off dozens of bolts was enjoyable for some Marines as it gave them time to talk before leaving for Mongolia.

"The best part of the training was getting to know the other Marines," said Pfc. Jacob N. Koenen, patrolman, MPSE, 3rd FSSG. "We're going to be spending a lot of time together in Mongolia and I'm glad we had the chance to learn who everyone is and what they do beforehand."