CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Thirty Marines from Truck Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, recently participated in a three-day field operation at Landing Zone Mallard in the Central Training Area.
The Marines maneuvered through various situations over 72 hours, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and prepare them for real life situations, said 1st Lt. Daniel Sanchez, Truck Co. commander.
Motor transportation operators support and reinforce infantry but also need to be able to hold their own, said Sanchez.
The training evolution included convoy communications, maneuvering in and around obstacles and improvised explosive device response drills.
The Marines also participated in enhanced motor vehicle operators training to learn different convoy tactics for both day and night operations.
“This training builds confidence and hones basic off-road vehicle fundamentals,” said 1st Lt. Adam Latham, 3rd platoon commander.
“Our convoys were put in different scenarios throughout the training,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan Shepherd, a motor transportation operator. “We are put in these different situations so we know how to react to them.”
The Marines also practiced using radios to communicate with each other, reinforcing the proper techniques of convoy operations and communications.
“We instill confidence in the drivers through rigorous training,” said Gunnery Sgt. Devron Gray, motor transportation operations chief. “The training we do is to help develop and reinforce the Marines’ skills and give them the knowledge needed to survive in Afghanistan.”
After sunset, the Marines used night vision goggles to operate in dark and low-light conditions. This was particularly challenging as the Marines still had to search for signs of IEDs, while following the road and tree line.
The Marines maneuvered in and around obstacles, going through tight spaces, over steep hills, wide ditches and across several water obstacles.
The operators also learned how to react to various IED situations and focused on what to do in case their vehicle becomes disabled.
“The Marines did an outstanding job on this training exercise,” said Latham. “This [training] gave them a chance to bond with each other and work as a team to complete the mission.”
“We need to be able to work independently and be self-sustaining,” said Sanchez. “We will be doing training like this monthly to help build and sustain the Marines’ convoy training.”