Marines refresh operator skills

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Okinawa, Japan -- Approximately 30 Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 4 conducted tactical vehicle operators' sustainment training at the Central Training Area Oct. 22.

The training was conducted to provide Marines with the battalion, a part of Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, an opportunity to drive different tactical vehicles on various types of terrain they will encounter on Okinawa.

"These road miles are necessary for drivers to adapt to driving on narrow roads and on the left-hand side," said 2nd Lt. Kristina F. Warren, the officer in charge of the convoy with CLB-4. "We had experienced drivers giving them guidance, since these road miles prepare our drivers to safely conduct operations on the roads here."

The Marines were guided through the training area, stopping frequently to assess the driver's knowledge of the routes.

"The training was difficult at first," said 2nd Lt. Mason D. Mckee, the convoy commander for the battalion. "Outside of studying maps, no one was really familiar with the area of operation, so there was some confusion on the route."

The vehicle operators had to complete approximately 95 miles of driving throughout the course, using heavy vehicle variants such as medium tactical vehicle replacement trucks and logistics vehicle system replacement trucks.

"It's always good they get practice with these vehicles in a controlled environment first," said Mckee.

Along with the convoy movement, Marines dispersed along the road as road guards and vehicle guides to ensure safety during the training. Battalion corpsmen integrated into the training to provide medical attention if needed throughout the convoy.

"Whenever we train, we learn something new and apply the lessons learned to future operations," said Warren. "Parts of this training highlighted the importance of a detailed convoy brief and ensuring each individual is 100 percent clear as to the route and their specific task."

The Marines trained throughout the week in order to be mission capable for convoy operations in support of III MEF.

"The most important aspect that the Marines should remember is that all training, whether it is a complex firing range or just driving back and forth on the same road, serves a purpose and should be treated as a tactical mission," said Mckee. "These Marines now have the road miles and training to be able to do what the Marine Corps needs."