Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Shepherd
U.S. Army, Pacific, Public Affairs Office

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- A four-man team stacks shoulder to shoulder near a door. One man quickly checks for improvised explosive devices before throwing open the door. The team rushes in, dominating the room and eliminating threats with well-aimed fire.

"One clear," the team leader yells. The others immediately echo their status.

"All clear," the team leader says after all the reports are received. The team stacks again and readies to enter the next room.

This type of training occurs daily at the Shoot House on Schofield Barracks. Yet, today's training had a different twist as 55 members of the Royal Tongan Marines trained under the tutelage of the 196th Infantry Brigade. The Marines will soon be deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"The training we are receiving from the 196th Inf. Bde. is very important for our upcoming mission to Iraq," said Tongan Lt. Col. Kuli Fakalolo, commander of the Royal Tongan Marine contingent. "The trainers really did an outstanding job."

According to CIA World Fact Book, the Republic of Tonga lays a third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii. Tonga has a population of more than 100,000. Of the 171 Tongan islands, 47 are inhabited, with more than 60 percent in the capital of Tongatapu.

The live-fire exercise at the Shoot House was the culmination of more than two weeks of intense training for the Marines. The training started Jan. 14 with weapon familiarization on the M4 Carbine, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M203 Grenade Launcher, to name a few.

"I think a lot of the (Marines) enjoyed firing some of the weapons systems they hadn't fired before," said Cpt. Sean Donovan, senior field artillery advisor with 1st Battalion, 196th Inf. Bde. and officer in charge of the Royal Tongan Marine mobilization. "They definitely learned a lot from the 'shoot house' and overall, I think it's been an enjoyable experience for both my trainers as well as the Royal Tongan Marines."

The Marines also trained on the HMMWV and were able to attend the Combat Lifesaver Course and an IED awareness class.

Before the Marines conducted the live-fire exercise, they went through a crawl, walk, run method of instruction to ensure they knew every facet of room clearing. They first practiced the procedures in a "glass house," a set of rooms outlined on the ground by engineer tape. 

Next, the Marines moved into the Shoot House to conduct a dry run, continuing to hone the techniques taught by the 196th Inf. Bde. trainers. Finally, the Marines went through the Shoot House with blanks before being qualified to move on to live ammunition.

"The Marines are really enjoying the training out here," said Tongan 2nd Lt. Siaosi Kiu Tu'ivailahi Kaho, Royal Tongan Marine platoon leader. "It adds on to the knowledge that they already have and makes it better."

"The Royal Tongan Marines have come a long way as far as progression in their training," Donovan added. "We've seen them in the crawl, walk and run stages and the training in the Shoot House was excellent for everyone."

According to Donovan, the U.S. State Department mandated certain training and the 196th Inf. Bde. met the guidelines and preparation for the upcoming deployment for the Marines. However, it was the trainers that made the mission a success.

"The trainers are tremendous," he said. "They are my subject matter experts for everything. They come from various different backgrounds; infantry, field artillery... A lot of the guys have also deployed so they bring that experience to the table as well."

"The trainers are very good," Kaho added. "They are very experienced and all of them have been deployed so they know what it's like. Gaining that experience has been very valuable."
 

The training in Hawaii was the first trip to the United States for many of the Marines. Though the training kept them very busy, they were able to spend some time on Sundays visiting two local churches.

The final step for the Marines was a deployment ceremony at Sills Field Feb. 1. Once in Iraq, the Marines will provide security to forces assigned to Camp Victory.

"I'd like to thank the 196th Infantry Brigade and their instructors for their very good training," Fakalolo said. "We are going to use the training here to help us during our mission in Iraq."

"We are going to do a great job over in Iraq," added Tongan Chief Warrant Officer Samiuela Momo Lolomana'ia, platoon sergeant. "We're looking forward to setting a new standard for our Marines."

Tongan Lance Cpl. Manase Akau'ola rushes into a simulated house during room-clearing training Jan. 31.

Staff Sgt. Scott Casey, 196th Inf. Bde. trainer, conducts and after action review with Tongan Cpt. Siaosi Lepa Kup Veikune during room-clearing training at Schofield Barracks Jan. 31.