Marine Wing Control Squadron 18 conducts Warrior Week on Okinawa
US Marine Corps News
9/19/2008 By Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabrera, III Marine Expeditionary Force
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — Lt. Col. Roger Standfield’s order evolved into a training event that took MWCS-18 Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and into the field for a scheduled five-day training regimen called Warrior Week. The training evolution included live-fire exercises, rappelling, land navigation and basic field living practices.
Field training is uncommon for the squadron, which normally operates in the comfort of garrison when not deployed.
Warrior Week broke up the monotony of day-to-day operations where the Marines and sailors typically inventory gear, perform operations checks and prepare equipment for deployment, said Sgt. Andrew Stetson, a technical controller with the squadron’s Wire
Platoon detachment.
During the first day of the exercise, the Marines drew weapons from the armory and embarked on 7-ton trucks with their sights set north to the bivouac site LZ Swan on Camp Hansen. The Marines would call the site home over the next four days.
The following morning, the Marines set out to Range 2, where they fired Benelli tactical shotguns and M240G machine guns.
The exercise marked the first opportunity some Marines have had to fire the shotgun, and it was their first time for the unit’s sailors to shoot the M240G machine gun.
“It was pretty cool. It was a new experience. It was the biggest weapon I’ve ever
shot,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Pablo Juarez, a corpsman with the squadron.
The following day’s training included fast roping and rappelling. Some Marines were excited about receiving this opportunity since their last chance was recruit training
or Officer Candidates School. For some Marines the exercise was about facing fears.
“It helped me overcome a fear of heights. I’m definitely afraid of heights and getting me on the rappel tower helped me out with that,” Stetson said. “The worst part about it is
on the steps playing the waiting game. Once you actually get up there and get on it, it’s not so bad.”
Incoming bad weather and a change in the typhoon condition of readiness prompted commanders to cut Warrior Week short.
Not only was the training called off for safety reasons, but also because the squadron plays an important role in communications during emergencies.
“We have a number of responsibilities we need to see to in the rear: moving gear inside, and (manning) radios throughout the base and several other places on the island.
So to do that we need to get these Marines back,” Standfield said.
The training may have been shortened by two days, but the excitement of firing weapons, conquering fears on the rappel tower and the camaraderie were all experiences these Marines took away.
For Juarez, the excitement of shooting weapons and fast roping was not what he enjoyed most about the exercise; he most enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the Marines who he doesn’t normally get the chance to know on a personal level in garrison.
“I was excited because I got to know them. Back in the rear, I don’t get to know them unless I’m giving them shots and stuff, and here I get to know them better,” Juarez said.
In the past MWCS-18 has gone to the field to train one day a year conducting live-fire exercises. Standfield would like to see a weeklong quarterly training evolution adopted to ensure his Marines never lose sight of the basics, he said.
“It was motivational. Marines had a great time. It put a war face on them, and we want more,” Standfield said.
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