Marine Headline News
Training,
the key to battle readiness
ELMENDORF AIR
FORCE BASE, Alaska – Today’s global war on terrorism and
Operation Iraqi Freedom II make preparing U.S. forces for
future contingencies of particular importance. At any given
time, there are armed forces units undergoing training for
such contingencies. Exercise Northern Edge is an example of
such training.
Northern Edge,
which runs through June 16, is Alaska’s joint training
exercise designed to enhance interoperability among the
services by sharpening and honing joint service techniques and
procedures. Such training helps provide a ready force capable
of protecting America’s interests at home and abroad. More
than 9,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers,
Marines, and Coast Guardsmen from active duty, Reserve, and
National Guard units are participating in this year’s
exercise.
However, few
military units or members will undergo training like that of
one Marine company training in Northern Edge. The Marines of
India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, home-based in
Hawaii, spend their time cammying up and moving through the
woods as they refine patrolling and assault techniques.
“We’re doing a
little force-on-force training with the Army Special
Forces,” said Cpl. Jeff Pearson, fire team leader, I Co.,
3/3 Marines. “As part of the exercise, special ops forces
are trying to move about undetected. Our job is to detect
them,”
As exercise
participants, these Marines, along with an Army Special Forces
team, are practicing tactical movements, setting up ambushes
and conducting security patrols. They carry weapons and use
hand signals, all the while, trudging through miles of the
rugged Alaskan terrain in search of the “enemy,” which, in
this case, happens to be the Army aggressors.
“This is some of
the best training we’ve ever gotten,” Cpl. Pearson said.
“We get to train with the Army, which is pretty unusual.”
As part of the
10-day exercise, the platoon has fired simulated
paintball-type rounds, and had a mock terrorist attack, in
which the Marines took over a house and arrested
“terrorists.” According to Marine Sergeant Reginald
Daniels, platoon sergeant, I Co.,
3/3, they also hiked 10 miles to set up a base camp, and are
going to shoot on a live-fire range later on in the week.
While this type of
training may not suit everyone, these Marines enjoy being in
Alaska and training with the other services. “Northern Edge
has been an experience I will never forget. It’s definitely
been the most high-speed training I’ve ever gotten,” said
Cpl. Pearson.
ELMENDORF AIR
FORCE BASE, Alaska – Marine scout snipers patrolled in
Alaska during exercise Northern Edge 04. Pictured in a
security halt are Cpl. Greg Wendorff (right), Cpl. Brian
Martin (left), and Lance Cpl. Brandon Wittwer, who are from
the Headquarters and Service Company, Scout Sniper Platoon,
3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Northern Edge is Alaska's annual joint training exercise
designed to enhance interoperability among the services by
sharpening and honing joint service techniques and procedures.
It helps provide a ready force capable of protecting America's
interests at home and abroad. More than 9,000 Airmen, Sailors,
Soldiers, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen from active duty,
Reserve, and National Guard units are participating in this
year's exercise, which runs through 16 June. (U.S. Air Force
photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang) (Released)
