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Advanced convoy exercise takes place at Camp Fuji

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2004121701116
Story by Cpl. Jennifer L. Brown

CAMP FUJI, Japan - -- Nearly 700 Marines with units from the III Marine Expeditionary Force are conducting convoy operations in a simulated, multi-threat environment as part of a new, convoy training exercise taking place at Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 1-17.

The exercise is the final leg of a three-phase training evolution that began on Okinawa Nov. 17. The first and second phases provided Marines with knowledge and practical application training to apply during the field training they're conducting at Camp Fuji.

Due to the numerous attacks on convoys in Iraq, III MEF set up the convoy exercise with daily scenarios involving mock opposition forces throughout convoy routes, simulating various combat scenarios, according to Maj. Phillip R. Roberson, commanding officer of Motor Transport Company, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group.

"Convoys are the most vulnerable aspect of warfare in the current conflicts," Roberson said. "Convoys used to be considered logistics tasks in support of combat operations. During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, convoys evolved from support missions to movement to contact."

Camp Fuji was selected as the site for the exercise primarily because there are more opportunities to conduct realistic live-fire ranges, according to Roberson.

"The Marines have an intense training schedule," Roberson said. "They will plan, prepare, brief and execute nine convoy exercises during 14 days of field training. Participants will have a much greater appreciation of what is expected of them when they are called upon to execute their roles in a combat situation."

With the current evolution of convoy operations, Marines are being faced with surprising situations that have not been fully exercised in training, according to Roberson.

"Convoys are combat operations, and the tactics need to be practiced and rehearsed," Roberson said. "The goal for this exercise is for Marines and sailors to be better prepared to execute their tactical roles during deployed operations and exercises."

One Marine on the convoy exercise, Cpl. Timothy Nolte, motor transport operator, Motor Transport Co., 3rd TSB, has already experienced real combat situations with convoys while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January to October.

"We exercise immediate action drills repetitively to absorb it in our minds and so people will know what can and will happen," Nolte said. "We do it this way because when it comes to real-life combat situations, we want our reaction to be immediate, without hesitation."

Every Marine involved, regardless of their military occupational specialty, will have the opportunity to fire the M240G 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the roof of a moving vehicle, which will be the highlight of this exercise for Marines, according to Roberson who went on to say that this training marks the beginning for the new convoy exercises.

"There are convoy exercises scheduled in conjunction with larger, III MEF annual exercises," Robersen said.