KAHUKU, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii -- KAHUKU - Marines from Transportation Support Co., Combat Service Support Group 3, MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, took part in a five-day training mission between the Kahuku's Training Area and Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Oct. 27 through 31, the training was designed to further enable the unit to perform under high-pressure combat situations and mainly focused on convoy operations, tactics and procedures to take during an attack and general mission accomplishment.
Captain Isaac D. Nelson, Transportation Support Co. commander, CSSG-3, said the Marines needed to secure convoys to ensure a successful resupply mission to any units they are tasked for.
"I expected a lot from my Marines and that's what they gave me," said Nelson, "a lot of good, solid training."
Nelson also said that the execution of orders the Marines received was amazing, as their surroundings made it very difficult. Tough terrain along with an ambush tested the Marines' knowledge and skills on how to react and still complete the mission successfully.
"Everyday we're out here, we're growing. All training is good training and the Marines took to all of it very well."
The training promoted small-unit leadership as decisions had to be made on the spot. The ambush forced the Marines to decide what to do at a moment in time when every action taken could either be the downfall or completion of the task at hand. The exercise put the Marines in a mind-set of actual war instead of just thinking of it as training.
Sergeant Phillip E. Shaddem, the Helicopter Support Team commander for the company, took the Marines through a different scenario. The Marines learned how to move in, hook up and airlift a humvee with a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter, and move out in combat formations. Then they gained experience and more knowledge on how to perform the task under fire.
"The Marines now have a better understanding on how to conduct the procedure successfully," said Shaddem.
Shaddem also said that the timeliness of the exercise is what the Marines had the most trouble with. With the amount of practice, their skills have become much more refined.
"The Marines really enjoy doing this. It's not too often you get a chance to come out and do something like this," Shaddem added.
Normal helicopter support teams training operations are performed fairly often for the company, but combat HSTs, such as this one, only take place about three or four times a year.
"We are trying to get the combat training in more often and push for scenarios more real-world with artillery."
Shaddem also said that he has been doing training such as this for seven years.
The training schedule for these CSSG-3 Marines will be increased in the near future to prepare them for K-fires and combat training while supporting 1st Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, at Pohakuloa Training Area, which will take place between Nov. 24 and Dec. 20. Until then, they will continue to train and prepare for any mission that may come their way.