Air Force special operators, Marines partner up for joint training

Published June 15, 2015
By Senior Airman Stephen Eigel
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The United States Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron along with U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Recon Battalion conducted joint training from May 18-28 here and on Marine Corps Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan.

During the training, the 320th STS conducted pre-deployment operations alongside the 3rd Recon Battalion in order to promote sharing of tactical expertise as well as lessons learned from current combat operations.

“It’s important we get to work with these guys,” said Senior Airman Keaton Thiem, 320th STS combat controller. “This is who we will be working with in the future and this type of training helps us work together better.”

More than 25 members of the two units conducted two weeks of light and heavy weapons training ranging from shooting at the range to close quarter combat using simulated ammunition.

After countless hours of exhausting operations, the training ended with a bang as the units participated in a joint high value target scenario incorporating real-world air support from the 33rd Rescue Squadron’s HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters stationed at Kadena.

According to Capt. John Rulien, 320th STS special tactics officer, all the hard work paved the way for future operations as well.

“Our operators succeeded in building lasting relationships with the guys from the 3rd,” Rulien said. “This exercise set the conditions to have success in future operations here.”