CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conducted a military police operations field exercise at Camp Pendleton’s De Luz Combat Town June 3-6, 2019.
This exercise increased the readiness of the company and prepared them for the 2019 third Quarter Battalion field exercise.
“Just about once a month we focus on some form of military police operations,” said 1st Lt. Garrett Gundy, Alpha Company executive officer, 1st LE Bn. “This month and this quarter is focused on detention operations and mobility security support.”
During the exercise, Marines patrolled the De Luz Combat Town, interacting with role-players to simulate being in a deployed environment.
“I think the role players [add immersion] to both situations of detainee operations and patrolling; it just gives the added effect of chaos,” said Sgt. Brandon Gammons, squad leader, A Co., 1st LE Bn. “It teaches our Marines how to mitigate that chaos, handle the situation and act appropriately.”
The Marines performed mounted and dismounted patrols, entry control point security, and reacted to simulated enemy fire to include blank rounds, flash bang grenades and mock roadside bombs.
“I hope my Marines gained more knowledge of both detainee operations and patrolling in order to prepare for the battalion final exercise,” said Gammons.
1st LE Bn. will be conducting a battalion wide exercise at the end of the fiscal year in September. By doing monthly exercises such as this one, the companies will be able to perform with enhanced readiness and proficiency, according to Gundy.