• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

31st MEU force recon prepares for unit certification

US Marine Corps News

7/8/2010
By Lance Cpl. Tyler C. Vernaza, Marine Corps Bases Japan

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Marines from Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, made an assault on combat town here, June 25.

This was one of the many training exercises the force reconnaissance platoon is required to conduct in preparation for the upcoming 31st MEU certification exercise, said Gunnery Sgt. Steven Sarten, special missions branch chief, Special Operations Training Group, III MEF.

One hundred and thirty Marines, including instructors, role players and "assaulters" participated in the exercise, where the objective was to properly execute a direct-action raid.

Marines entered the town by fast-roping from two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters. After landing, the Marines traversed deep puddles of water, while keeping their dispersion.

Staying alert and focused, the Marines swept through the training area.

In previous scenarios throughout the week, the Marines had collected intelligence confirming the identify of a hostile individual, said Sarten.

The assault on combat town was the culminating event of the training designed to test their efficiency.

The Marines infiltrated the town, confiscated weapons and ammunition from the insurgency and dealt with improvised explosive devices.

"[The Marines] did what they were trained to do," said the primary close quarter's combat instructor with Special Operations Training Group, special missions branch.

They worked together and handled their unknowns well, he added.

This training has to be done before the Marines can be eligible to go to the certification exercise, said Sarten.

Prior to deploying with the MEU, the recon Marines are required to complete a two-week breaching course, a five-week close quarters training course, a one-week interoperability course and a two-week certification, he added.

The force reconnaissance platoon provides the MEU with "deep reconnaissance and precision raid capabilities," said an instructor with SOTG, special missions branch.

Once the Marines complete their certification, they should have all the tools and knowledge required to provide the 31st MEU with all of its deep reconnaissance and precision raid needs, Sarten concluded.