TONGATAPU, KINGDOM OF TONGA -- Platoons from Marine Rotational Force Darwin, the Tongan Defence Service and the French Foreign Legion searched car after car, looking for an “extremist” disguised as a service member during a vehicle checkpoint exercise as part of Exercise Tafakula 2013, in Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga, Sept. 10, 2013.
The troops were on high alert hunting for their suspect and used a series of poles in various sizes to create roadblocks and to siphon traffic to ensure a thorough search.
“Our main mission during the VCP was to provide security and have our weapon system oriented down the main avenue of approach for a possible high-valued target,” said Lance Cpl. Jeremy Coulon, machine gunner and squad leader, weapons platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, MRF-D, and native of San Marcos, Texas. “Everyone here today did their part to make sure the mission ran smoothly.”
Once the combined unit learned they were looking for an extremist suspected of dressing like one of them, they narrowed their search to military vehicles and motorists wearing a military uniform.
After checking numerous vehicles, service members noticed a suspicious person dressed in camouflage, followed closely by a truck, approaching the checkpoint. Orders were given to aim in on the suspects as they approached.
Troops conducted an inspection on the truck and questioned a suspect. Soon after the truck was cleared for entry, the Marines heard shots fired.
“I was really excited when I heard my fire team leader tell me we were going on the offensive,” said Lance Cpl. Carlos Ortiz, rifleman, first platoon, Lima Co., 3rd. Bn., 3rd Marines, and a Chicago native. “After checking vehicles for a couple of hours, it’s nice to get the blood flowing during some tactful training.”
Rebels started attacking the checkpoint and fire teams deployed in response. Two fire teams flanked both sides of the enemy. Machine gunners set up on top of a hill, providing cover fire to allow the teams to move into position.
Blank rounds were used throughout the entire exercise, and after a 20-minute “firefight,” the extremists were subdued.
With the enemy at bay, all three militaries successfully proved they could effectively identify an enemy threat using a vehicle checkpoint.