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Special Operations.Com
USMC Force Recon
Articles
MARINES TRAIN KUWAITI FORCES IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait -- Among the rubble-filled
buildings of an old Kuwaiti palace destroyed by Iraqi
soldiers during the Gulf War, swept a Kuwaiti force
utilizing tactics which were molded during a 10-day
training evolution with U.S. Marines as part of Exercise
Eager Mace 97-1.
Approximately 100 Kuwaiti national
guardsmen and special forces and U.S. Marines from
the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations
Capable) worked together to strengthen military relations
between the two countries. The main focus was on military
operations in urban terrain.
"Our overall goal was to work
with the Kuwaitis on how to plan, rehearse, and basically
execute an urban raid using different tactics,"
said Sgt. Marc W. Robson, weapons instructor, 1st
Force Reconnaissance Company.
With 10 days to train the Kuwaitis
and conduct a diversified assault, 11th MEU(SOC) detachments
from Battalion Landing Team 3/1 and 1st Force Recon
Co. took the host nation desert warriors under their
wing and covered basic and advanced military techniques.
From practicing room clearing and close
quarter battle drills, to handling firing devices
and constructing explosive charges used for dynamic
explosive entry into enemy-occupied rooms, the Kuwaitis
trained hard and fast as Marines supervised their
performance. The Kuwaitis progressed quickly as each
day passed.
"The guys I worked with showed
a lot of motivation, aggressiveness, and a willingness
to learn and apply what they were taught," said
Sgt. Kenneth E. Hurst, trailer platoon, Weapons Co.,
BLT 3/1.
One aspect of the training which drew
much excitement from most Kuwaitis, was the opportunity
to quickly insert into a location by fastroping from
a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter. The helo came from
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-166 (Reinforced),
the MEU's aviation combat element.
"It was a good experience,"
said Sgt. Diab Ankhurainag, Kuwaiti special forces.
"I've never been in a helicopter or done anything
like this before."
Focused on learning and applying the
fundamentals of rifle marksmanship, the Kuwaitis improved
their skills during the training. After a few days
of weapons safety classes and rehearsals, Marine scout
snipers introduced and demonstrated how to shoot the
M-40A1 sniper rifle.
"The most challenging thing for
them was being able to shoot at long distances,"
said 1st Lt. Travis L. Homiak, officer-in-charge,
scout sniper platoon.
That was overcome after the scout snipers
successfully hit targets 500 yards away, showing the
Kuwaitis that successfully engaging targets from long
distances was very possible and could be done with
proper training.
"The Kuwaitis' marksmanship greatly
improved during our time with them," said scout
sniper Cpl. Eric J. Folstad.
The final exercise proved the success
of the training as two Kuwaiti squads fastroped into
their objective area amidst a cloud of thick red smoke
used for cover and concealment. Once on the ground,
they began a simulated assault of a one-story building
by maneuvering close enough to place explosives on
three doors in order to breach them. Once entry was
gained, the Kuwaitis cleared the rooms of enemy troops.
During the assault, they came under simulated enemy
fire, but reciprocated and, in turn, neutralized the
enemy.
It was an exhausting finale for the
Kuwaitis who gathered afterwards to thank the Marines
for their time and efforts in helping them train for
special operations.
"I really liked the training,"
Ankhurainag said. "But what I am looking forward
to next is to train at sea."
Carrying out bilateral training with
foreign countries is an important task for the Marines
and Sailors of the 11th MEU(SOC) because it portrays
not only our presence as a premier force in readiness,
but also our role as partners in peace. (Sgt. Marc
Ayalin, 11th MEU(SOC))
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