6/29/2012
By Lance Cpl. Erik S. Brooks Jr., Marine Corps Bases Japan
CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan – Marines with Ammunition Company conducted enemy prisoner of war training at Camp Schwab June 15.
The Marines learned about the biometrics automated toolset and its database, collecting biometrics in theater, how to detain enemies, and how to complete a force cell extraction. The company, which is part of 3rd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, will soon travel to Camp Fuji, Japan, to execute a two-week EPW training exercise.
First, Marines learned how to use the BAT and collect biometrics to enter into its database.
“The BAT database is a tool the National Ground Intelligence Center uses to store biometrics of suspected terrorists,” said Shayne D. Schouest, a biometrics instructor for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Integrated Systems Training Center.
The collection of biometrics includes iris scans, fingerprints and facial features, according to Schouest.
Marines use the handheld interagency identity detection equipment (HIIDE) system to collect biometrics while forward deployed, according to Schouest.
“The HIIDE system allows Marines to easily collect the necessary information to identify any known terrorist and capture them,” said Schouest. “If a suspicious person has already been entered, the HIIDE system will alert the Marine scanning that the person is a suspected terrorist and needs to be detained.”
Once instructed on how to use the system, Marines practiced using it on one another.
“The system was very easy to use and walked us though every step of the process (for) capturing the fingerprints (and) scanning the iris and facial (features),” said Pfc. Patrick S. Riedy, an ammunition technician with the company. “We practiced (on) each other to get a better understanding of the system.”
Marines then went outside to practice detention and force cell extraction skills.
Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Hanson, a correctional specialist with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III MEF Headquarters Group, III MEF, began by teaching and demonstrating escalation of force procedures on a detained prisoner.
“Verbal commands are used first to gain compliance with the prisoner,” said Gunnery Sgt. James A. Kozminski Jr., a correctional specialist and EPW instructor with 3rd LE Bn. “If verbal commands do not work, the next step is a show of force to display your force capabilities to the prisoner.”
The goal of capturing an EPW is to bring them in with the least amount of force necessary and without injury to themselves or others, according to Hanson.
“I taught the Marines how to take down and capture an enemy using the least amount of force necessary,” said Hanson. “I instructed the Marines (on) how to find pressure points on the body, making it easier to detain an enemy if they are being noncompliant.”
There is no time limit between steps, and it is important to use sound judgment to determine the next step, according to Kozminski.
In the final portion of training, Marines learned how to execute a force cell extraction.
“A force cell extraction is when a detainee is posing a threat to their self or others while in their cell,” said Kozminski. “During this evolution, five Marines will enter the cell and gain control of the prisoner.”
Each Marine has a certain part of the body they are responsible for, according to Kozminski. Both arms and legs are controlled individually, and the team leader gives verbal commands while controlling the detainee’s head.
After gaining positive control, the Marines handcuffed both the arms and legs together and left the room to give the prisoner time to calm down.
The training evolution was complete once each Marine practiced the force cell extraction.
“The skills we learned were easy to understand and to put into use,” said Riedy. “I felt this training gave me all the tools I need (in) an EPW situation.”