SAN DIEGO, Texas -- The Marines of Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, were invited to use the town of San Diego, Texas, for their July training evolution, one unlike any other they have ever done. From July 20 to 23, the Marines conducted operations to simulate true Military Operations in an Urban Terrain (MOUT). Although MOUT training has been around for years, it is very seldom that the exercises are conducted in an actual urban environment with civilians playing key roles.
Capt. Mike Ford, a member of the Harlingen, Texas, Inspector and Instructor staff, Detachment C, 1/23, along with Capt. Michael Ogden, I & I staff, were the brain power behind using a real town for their training. They chose San Diego after doing a funeral detail for a fallen Marine who was from the town. They thought it ideal due to the climate and environment being very similar to that of Iraq.
“We actually looked at quite a few towns in South Texas,” said Ford. “San Diego was the one where the people were the most enthusiastic about letting us train in their back yard. They were very positive from the very beginning. They held a city council meeting to vote on it, and they voted unanimously to allow us to train here. Our Marines get to interact with the local civilians just like they would in Iraq. It’s as realistic as we can get without actually being there.”
The Marines were excited about using the town because it gave them a chance to train with real civilians in their hometown.
“We felt that it would give the Marines a more realistic view of how operations are conducted in a real life environment,” says Maj. Michael K. Cagle, a member of the Corpus Christi I & I staff, Company C, 1/23; “For the Marines who haven’t been to Iraq, it helps them better prepare, mentally, for interaction with civilians in a hostile environment. This is a great opportunity for our Marines. We’re very grateful for the support we received from the great folks here. Also, if all goes well, we could be invited back to do this annually.”
The citizens of San Diego were more than enthusiastic about helping the Marines train in any way they could.
“The people of this town have been devastated by the war in Iraq,” said Alonzo Lopez Jr., the town’s mayor. “Three boys from San Diego, a population of only 4,300, have been killed in action. We are all patriots and are willing to do anything within our power to help these Marines.”
To that end, the locals played the role of private citizens for the exercise.
“We wanted the citizens to interact with the Marines as much as possible, just like they would in Iraq,” said Creamer. “Winning over the hearts and minds of the local populace is one of our key missions. If you have the people’s trust, you have a better opportunity of gathering vital intelligence.”
In the training evolution, the Marines set up a Forward Operating Base (FOB), which they named FOB Heat, where they staged all personnel, vehicles and logistical support. Each platoon went on patrols to disrupt mock terrorist activity.
“None of this would’ve even come about if it weren’t for Lt. Col. Robert M. Heidenreich (I & I, 1/23). He is the one who allowed us to take a risk and made this happen;” said Ogden. “And the reservists, led by Capt. William Creamer, (commanding officer, Company C, 1/23), are the ones who made this all possible. Of course, we have to give credit where credit is due, and that goes to the I & I staff, who made this a reality from conception to completion.”
At the conclusion of the training evolution, the Marines ate lunch with the town officials where they tried to show the same hospitality the town had shown them. The Marines of 1/23 impressed the people of San Diego so much that they have been invited to return next year.