IE SHIMA, Okinawa, Japan -- As the downpour descended upon the weathered airstrip on Ie Shima, Japan, Marines raced to prepare the area for air traffic control training.
The Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, trained for execution and employment of the Marine air traffic control mobile team Aug. 22.
The Marines conducted the training, which was the first event coordinated between the squadron and the Air Mobility Command at Yokota Air Base, Japan, to maintain readiness for real-world operations.
"We need the Marines certified as MMT members, so they can perform air traffic control duties during exercises and operations," said Gunnery Sgt. Louie S. Cruz, an air traffic controller with the squadron.
The training began with Marines designing a plan to lay out marking panels on the runway. Teams were grouped together for specific jobs during the mock construction of the runway, including a reference team, chase team, pace team and a base team.
"The Marines designated for the reference team will be making sure of the overall length of the runway," said Cpl. David H. Cha, an air traffic controller with the squadron. "Marines designated as pacers were sent out to properly measure 500 foot increments spaced out along the side of the runway."
After setting up the marking panels, the Marines utilized PRC-152 radios to keep contact with the other elements of the team and a PRC-117 to coordinate with the Air Mobility Command at Yokota Air Base. This was done to ensure all training procedures were conducted properly.
"Maintaining contact is vital in ensuring each team member is at the correct location at the right time," said Cruz.
During the training, inclement weather conditions such as thunderstorms can pose a potential threat. A meteorology and oceanography analyst forecaster with the squadron, Lance Cpl. Kevin A. Rush, was present at the training site to aid in verifying potential destructive weather conditions.
"This was the first time we incorporated a Marine with weather expertise in the team," said Cruz. "It was important for us to include Rush because if it were not for him, we would not be able to accurately determine weather hazards that may have prematurely ended the exercise."
While some of the Marines have education and experience with similar air traffic control exercises, most of them had little or no experience with a team, according to Sgt. Christopher M. Bickel, an air traffic controller with the squadron.
"Some of the Marines have done this before, but none of them were certified as team members or leaders," said Bickel. "That's what I'm out there for."
Weather threatened the training, but the squadron was determined to safely control at least one flight, according to Cruz.
"Any training opportunity for Marines is beneficial to the unit," said Gunnery Sgt. Jaime L. Jack, an air traffic controller with the squadron. "However the biggest take-away from this evolution was the founding of a relationship between MACS-4 and other units."