CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan -- “One, two, three – up!” yelled a Marine drenched in sweat and salt water to his exhausted comrades. Through teamwork, the Marines lift a heavy Combat Rubber Raiding Craft and run into the ocean surf.
This scene played out numerous times as Marines executed water-mobility training March 19 at the Camp Schwab Beach to better prepare for the employment of expeditionary bridges.
The Marines are combat engineers with Company A, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The CRRC were used to help gather information on simulated “wet gaps,” natural or man-made waterways, such rivers or deep swamps, which deter the projection of combat power, where Marines would potentially construct a bridge in a deployed setting, according to 1st Lt. James J. McGeady, a platoon commander with the company.
“You can use the (CRRC) to get specific depths and currents,” said McGeady. “You can figure out more information on the tides, the coral reefs and other hydrographical data. We use that data before we put the Bridge Erection Boats or Improved Ribbon Bridges in the water, so that we don’t damage those assets.”
Improved Ribbon Bridges are modular-floating platforms that assemble into a bridge to quickly facilitate the movement of Marines and equipment over wet gaps. Bridge Erection Boats are the watercraft used to move and correctly position the components of the bridge.
The CRRC were not only used for reconnaissance training, but also acted as safety boats during additional training events, according to Cpl. Gregory M. Patterson, a combat engineer with the company.
“We were practicing man-overboard drills,” said Patterson. “We simulate a man overboard, the boat gets within proximity of the victim, and the safety swimmer will rescue them and pull them onto the boat.”
The culminating event was a race which tested the knowledge gained throughout the training. Three five-man teams were tasked to maneuver their craft to a ramp at the far end of the beach, survey the ramp, and return to the starting point with the correct information.
Not only was it valuable training for the Marines, but it was also an exciting opportunity to get out on the boats, according to Lance Cpl. Kayla M. Bear, a combat engineer with the company.
“We always enjoy coming out here,” said Bear. “It’s always fun to get outside and do your (military occupational specialty). We always have a good time out here.”
As a testament to the expeditious nature III MEF, this training is unique among the rest of the Marine Corps, according to McGeady.
“Our platoon is the only one in the Marine Corps that trains with Improved Ribbon Bridges and Bridge Erection Boats in salt-water environments,” said McGeady. “That’s because of limited venues that we have for the training and because we’re located (on Okinawa).”
With the important location of III MEF in the Asia-Pacific region, the Marine Corps’ ability to remain amphibious is crucial, and this training helped to solidify that mission, according to McGeady.
“We (are key to the) pivot to the Pacific,” said McGeady. “We are here now. We have a large presence not only in Okinawa but in Guam. We are constantly training in (the Republic of) Korea, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. The more training we get on mobility in the water and reconnaissance in the water, the more ready we are for (operations) of that nature.”