Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 2nd platoon, Marines walk away from what has been deemed an improvised explosive device and ready to set up a cordon area around the simulated explosive in a motorized operational training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 on June 8, 2014. ITX 4-14, a cornerstone of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Program, is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise; helping establish best practices, refine planning guidance and baseline requirements for future Reserve units. ITX employs assets from ground, air and logistics combat elements to demonstrate the ability to deploy rapidly and build up significant combat power necessary to form a MAGTF.

Photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters

Combat Logistics Marines participate in motorized operations training

11 Jun 2014 | Sgt. Adwin Esters U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

Twentynine Palms, Ca. -- Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, based in Orlando, Florida, participated in motorized operations training here, as part of Integrated Training Exercise 4-14, June 8.

The MOT exercise consists of several events designed to simulate different situations the battalion might encounter while traveling in a convoy of vehicles such as 7-tons and Humvees mounted with M240B machine guns, .50-caliber machine guns and Mk 19 grenade launchers.

The live-fire portion of the exercise consisted of the platoon simulating being fired upon by an enemy at long range. The range controllers, or “coyotes”, first direct a gunner on each of the convoy vehicles, step aside to allow the vehicle commanders to direct fire, and then allow the convoy commander to control all vehicle gunners’ direction of fire. The platoon is later evaluated by the coyotes on how well they performed.

“The training is situated to provide a building block approach to providing effective fire,” said 1st Lt. Jian Cardenas, 2nd platoon commander, and native of Tampa, Florida. “We are learning a lot from this exercise and the coyote’s direction.”

Another part of the MOT exercise emphasizes the constant threat of improvised explosive devices as part of convoy operations and requires extensive training on how to detect them and what to do if a convoy is hit by one. The coyotes instruct the Marines first and then direct them through a practical application of the five steps in response (clear, cordon, call, check, confirm) to an IED threat or attack.

“It’s not often that we get to do stuff like this,” said Sgt. David Gonzalez, 2nd platoon convoy commander and native of Sarasota, Florida. “Coming out here and learning the operations is good for us.”

The exercises during ITX 4-14 count towards the Reserve Marines required annual training and monthly drills. ITX is a cornerstone of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Program. It is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise, which helps refine skills necessary to seamlessly integrate with active duty counterparts as well as operate as a complete MAGTF.