TRINIDAD -- More than 60 Marines from Marine Forces Reserve recently participated in Operation Weedeater, a counterdrug eradication support operation on this Caribbean island.
The Marines, from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), West Palm Beach, Fla., provided training and support for the Defense Force and Police Department of Trinidad and Tobago, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents who conducted the missions.
"It's definitely an honor for us to be able to participate in such an operation," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rickman D. Taylor, officer-in-charge of the 4th ANGLICO detachment. "This is deemed a counterdrug operation, but it is much more than that. It's a humanitarian mission; a mission to defend the American youth; a continuance of the war on drugs; and most importantly, it's a mission that promotes international relations."
Although the Marines were limited by U.S. law to provide support only in the form of airlift, training and logistics for counterdrug operations, those three elements were critical to the success of the mission. The host nation, which has limited airlift and logistics capability, would not have been able to perform this mission without help from the Marines.
With the terrain in many of the targeted areas being triple-canopy forest, normal means of transportation were unrealistic for the operations. Because of this, the helicopter squadron with its CH-46s quickly became a very important aspect of the operation.
"This environment, at times, was very challenging for us to fly in," said Maj. Jacques Naviaux, mission commander. "With a mountainous forest environment and trees reaching in excess of 200 feet, there were many times we found ourselves having to fly below the tree line to insert those conducting the missions."
The terrain was very new for the California-based squadron, but instead of causing a problem for the Marines, they faced it as a way to improve themselves.
"This training was ideal for the Marines," Naviaux said. "There is no doubt that our Marines are better prepared to handle mountain and jungle environments, and are, by far, more well-rounded.
"Working in these small zones is the ultimate test of helicopter crew coordination. The pilots cannot do this alone. They must be constantly guided by the crew chief and observer in the rear of the aircraft, in order to avoid obstacles and to maintain a stable hover while conducting fast-rope inserts and SPIE (special insert and extraction) extracts."
Because of the conditions and the continual use of the aircraft, the flight crews and Marines responsible for the maintenance of the helicopters, in many ways, held the fate of the mission in their hands. Without their efforts and consistent mission accomplishment, the "birds" would have been unable to fly, and the missions would not have gone.
While the squadron provided mobility, the Marines of 4th ANGLICO provided training to the operators and communications support.
The first task was training local law enforcement to better overcome the terrain on which they'd be conducting their mission. Although the Marines were the newcomers to the operation, the difficulties encountered by the host nation law enforcement agencies were familiar. Because of the thick forest and steep hills, landing aircraft in a designated location was out of the question, which meant the Marines had to teach those involved how to conduct fast-rope inserts and SPIE extracts using ropes suspended from the helicopters.
From the beginning, this training was going to be a difficult task, because the number of Marines qualified to train versus the number who required the training was significantly uneven. At one point, there were more than 150 trainees. Even after flying in two additional Marines, there were still only four Helicopter Rope Suspension Training (HRST) Masters.
"We had an extremely significant responsibility throughout these operations," said Sgt. Adam L. Mackillop, HRST master, 4th ANGLICO. "Because of the numbers, none of us were allowed to rest mentally or physically. Not having motivation, or taking a break, was not an option. Everyday we were expected to perform, and we did."
In addition to the large number of trainees, the training location added another challenge for the Marines.
"When we (Marines) are trained for these types of things, we're used to having a tower of some sort to work with and fairly consistent means of practicing our skill," Mackillop said. "However, because this country is not equipped with the right locations and is not used for this type of training, we had to simply work with what we were given."
In fact, the training facilities were so limited that at one point the Marines conducted ground training in an arena type setting with the rope rigged to the ceiling. Trainees used scaffolding to reach the designated heights from which they would fast-rope.
"The conditions weren't ideal," Mackillop said, "but we did what we could. Everyone involved in this operation received thorough training, and was more than confident with their abilities by the time they boarded the helicopters."
The final and most crucial aspect of the Marines' support came in the form of communications. Here again, the terrain played an integral part in the ability of the Marines to obtain and maintain communications.
"Everything is a factor when trying to maintain good communication in the field," said Gunnery Sgt. Larry E. Moody, communications chief, 4th ANGLICO. "Many of the older Marines have experienced training like this, but it was great experience for the younger Marines. This hopefully gave them an idea of how difficult it can be to get communications in the field, and that nothing is guaranteed."
Throughout the operation, the Marines were responsible for maintaining communications between the headquarters, flight crews, and various teams conducting field operations. Using three and four various radios at a time, the Marines were pushed to another level during this evolution.
"There's no doubt in my mind that these Marines used every type of field expedient wire there is to get communication," Taylor said. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if at times they invented some of their own."
While some of their means may not have been according to any textbook, they still managed to do their job.
"These Marines need to know that no matter where you are you have to get communication," Moody said. "Without, we are of no use to anyone."
At the conclusion of the operation, nearly $400 million worth in drugs had been eradicated, nearly twice as much as in previous years. But even without the numbers, there was no doubt the Marines had served a greater purpose while participating in this operation.
"Every Marine should leave here with more experience when it comes to dealing with jungle environments," Naviaux said. "But more than that, they will have a sense of accomplishment knowing they made an impact in the war on drugs. Although this took place in a specific location, their efforts will have far reaching affects."