MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
After an
identity check at the front gate of Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, rolling past
the barriers, the message is apparent: Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 is
watching and everybody knows you are here.
Nearly 300 Marines were involved in an airbase ground
defense field operation, Aug. 13-20.
“We are being tasked with securing this airfield so
operations can continue unimpeded by enemy threats,” said 1st Lt. Charles
Sieber, the combat engineer officer with MWSS-271. “Missions that need to go on
the airfield can continue going on without enemy attacks.”
According to Sieber, there is a plethora of
different scenarios being portrayed to keep the Marines on their toes.
“We have possible Improvised Explosive Devices,
troops being dispatched, tracking enemy attacks and pattern analysis for styles
of attack and trends,” said Sieber.
Following three days of 12-hour long refresher
classes on the knowledge received during Marine Combat Training, the Marines, for
three days and nights, performed security procedures in accordance with the classes.
“The classes covered everything from weapons systems
to patrolling and standing post properly,” said Chief Warrant Officer
Christopher Sills, the tactical security officer for the field operation. “We
have practical applications similar to training troops receive in MCT.”
According to Sills, the expectation after completion
of the field operation is that the whole unit has a solid tactical mindset.
“This is the first time a focused event like this
has occurred in about two years for the squadron,” said Sills. “It is important
to reiterate basic things Marines should be doing like never moving alone, only
in pairs, weapons always within one arms reach and keeping weapons clean at all
times.”
Barriers were set up across Bogue in strategic
locations with Marines challenging anyone who approached their post.
“The Marines used small unit leadership in a combat
situation, so a lot of the interactions that were taken from this, we will
share the information and results and with our sister Marine wing support squadrons,”
explained Sills.
With M-16 assault rifles, pistols and crew-served
weapons systems atop tactical vehicles, amongst a few other security measures,
MWSS-271 is ensuring protection for all ground operations at Bogue.