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1st FSSG units stressing vigilance against explosive convoy threats in Iraq
Submitted by: 1st Force Service Support Group
Story Identification #: 200422719345
Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere



CAMP VICTORY, Kuwait (Feb. 27, 2004) -- With an increase in improvised explosive devices being used by insurgents in Iraq against American convoys, the 1st Force Service Support Group is squeezing in some last-minute training to spin up Marines before they roll out.

Units in the 1st FSSG, whose main mission will be to deliver supplies to the I Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq, are sending some of their Marines and sailors through a daylong course at a training area in Kuwait to prepare them for the dangers of convoying through Iraq.

"The biggest threat right now," according to explosive ordnance disposal technicians of the Group's 7th Engineer Support Battalion, is homemade bombs fashioned to take out American troops, among others.

The bombs, which turn up daily, are creatively made and hidden. Some are placed in piles of garbage on the side of the road and even in animal carcasses. In some instances, vehicles laden with explosives have attempted to swerve into military convoys, said the Marine EOD techs, who have regularly talked with Army units returning from Iraq in order to learn the latest enemy tactics.

With the threat so random, training isn't so much about tactics as it is reminding Marines to stay on their toes.

Identifying and reacting to the improvised explosives requires quick thinking and split-second decisions, said 1st Lt. Scott T. Sturrock, a platoon commander with 2nd Militaty Police Battalion, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., whose Marines partook in the training Feb. 26, 2004.

The Marine Corps doesn't have a standard doctrine regulating reactions to convoy attacks; each unit develops their own procedures based on their mission. For 1st FSSG, it's getting the supplies through.

Using a three-mile stretch of road and firing machine guns at targets placed intermittently along the desert track, the Marines also trained both day and night, using night-vision goggles, to engage targets while on the move. This teaches the Marines how to squelch an enemy attack without stopping a convoy.

Here, 1st FSSG Marines get in what training they can at their staging areas in Kuwait. Troops allot time to rehearse their ambush reaction tactics, whether or not they actually have vehicles to use. Some resourceful leaders are simply tracing vehicles outlines in the sand and telling their Marines to use their imaginations.

"In this operation, convoy security is our biggest challenge," said Capt. Chad W. Darnell, 29, commanding officer of C Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, who Marines also trained Feb. 26.

The 1st FSSG will make up approximately a fifth of the 25,000 Marines and sailors under the command of I MEF deploying to Iraq in the coming weeks. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations while the new Iraqi government grows.

Perhaps the best weapon against convoy ambushes, and maybe the most unlikely, is simply looking prepared, said Sturrock. He teaches his Marines to look and act professional, so Iraqis will see them as a serious force.

"If you keep up a good appearance, your chances of getting hit decrease," said Sturrock.

-30-

Photos included with story:





Lance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, stays vigilant while training to react to a convoy ambush at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. Porter is a 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon) Photo by: Staff Sgt. Bill LisbonLance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, stays vigilant while training to react to a convoy ambush at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. Porter is a 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon) Photo by: Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon
With a heavy machine gun mounted on each truck, a supply convoy drives through a course testing Marines' of Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, ability to react to ambushes and to shoot on the move at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Photo by: Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill LisbonWith a heavy machine gun mounted on each truck, a supply convoy drives through a course testing Marines' of Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, ability to react to ambushes and to shoot on the move at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Photo by: Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon
With their mission to provide security to supply convoys, military police of the 2nd Military Police Battalion roll their humvees through a course testing their ability to react to ambushes and to shoot on the move at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. The police battalion's C Company, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., is attached to the 1st Force Service Support Group, whose main mission is moving supplies to Marines in Iraq. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Photo By Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard ValliereWith their mission to provide security to supply convoys, military police of the 2nd Military Police Battalion roll their humvees through a course testing their ability to react to ambushes and to shoot on the move at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. The police battalion's C Company, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., is attached to the 1st Force Service Support Group, whose main mission is moving supplies to Marines in Iraq. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. (Photo By Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere
Lance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, fires from the bed of a supply truck while training to react to a convoy ambush at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. Porter is a 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Bill LisbonLance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, fires from the bed of a supply truck while training to react to a convoy ambush at a training range in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations allowing the new Iraqi government to take root. Porter is a 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon
Lance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, said he's surprised that the American flag sticker on his M-16A2 rifle has stayed on as long as it has, Feb. 26, 2004, while he trained to react to convoy ambushes in Kuwait. Porter, 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas, and his rifle are on their way to their second tour in Iraq. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I MEF in the coming weeks. Many Marines were only home for a few months before deploying back to the Middle East. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units located west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations in an effort to assist the new Iraqi government. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Bill LisbonLance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, said he's surprised that the American flag sticker on his M-16A2 rifle has stayed on as long as it has, Feb. 26, 2004, while he trained to react to convoy ambushes in Kuwait. Porter, 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas, and his rifle are on their way to their second tour in Iraq. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I MEF in the coming weeks. Many Marines were only home for a few months before deploying back to the Middle East. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units located west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations in an effort to assist the new Iraqi government. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon
Gunnery Sgt. Gary D. Moran, acting company first sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, speaks with his company commander, 1st Lt. D.J. Husted, on a hill at a training range in Kuwait Feb. 26, 2004, where their Marines trained to react to convoy ambushes. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units located west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations in an effort to assist the new Iraqi government. Moran is a 39-year-old Philadelphia native, and Husted, 30, is a native of Albany, N.Y. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard ValliereGunnery Sgt. Gary D. Moran, acting company first sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, speaks with his company commander, 1st Lt. D.J. Husted, on a hill at a training range in Kuwait Feb. 26, 2004, where their Marines trained to react to convoy ambushes. Insurgents in Iraq have commonly attacked military convoys forcing the Marine Corps to focus heavily on reacting to ambushes prior to deploying there. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I Marine Expeditionary Force in the coming weeks, with 1st FSSG, whose main mission is moving supplies, making up nearly a fifth of the troops. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units located west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations in an effort to assist the new Iraqi government. Moran is a 39-year-old Philadelphia native, and Husted, 30, is a native of Albany, N.Y. 1st FSSG is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere
On his way to his second tour in Iraq, Lance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, rides in the bed of a supply truck while training to react to convoy ambushes in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Since this is the second time I Marine Expeditionary Force has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, some Marines have dubbed this deployment 'OIF II.' Many Marines were only home for a few months before deploying back to the Middle East. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I MEF in the coming weeks. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units located west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations in an effort to assist the new Iraqi government. Porter is a 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas. Photo by: Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill LisbonOn his way to his second tour in Iraq, Lance Cpl. Jonathan C. Porter, a warehouseman with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, rides in the bed of a supply truck while training to react to convoy ambushes in the Kuwait desert Feb. 26, 2004. Since this is the second time I Marine Expeditionary Force has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, some Marines have dubbed this deployment "OIF II." Many Marines were only home for a few months before deploying back to the Middle East. Approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors will be deployed to Iraq and Kuwait under the command of I MEF in the coming weeks. The Marines are scheduled to relieve Army units located west of Baghdad and to conduct security and stability operations in an effort to assist the new Iraqi government. Porter is a 21-year-old native of Lufkin, Texas. Photo by: Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

Text version of story is attached below:

ConvoyTraining040227.txt