Marines and sailors from Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a mock boat raid in support of a MEU exercise, Aug. 10.

Approximately 14 Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Crafts filled with Marines and sailors landed about 2 kilometers from a logistics site they were tasked to take control of. Mock opposing forces took cover on hilltops and in the dense jungle terrain. Co. B surrounded them and successfully secured the objective. They conducted tactical site exploitation and once the mission was complete, made their way back to the CRRCs.

Three platoons of Marines, with attachments, practiced room clearing drills, set up their communication equipment in Amphibious Assault Vehicles, and briefed their plan using a terrain model of combat town, created from a trash can, meal ready to eat boxes, rocks and sand bags.

“This is our chance to show what we can do and get better at what we do, which is mechanized assaults,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Tice, executive officer with Company A, BLT 1/7.

Despite being fairly new to Okinawa’s climate, the Marines were enthusiastic.

“It will be good training. We’ve only been out in the jungle a few times since we got here from California, so this will be a good test,” said Pfc. Ryan Poulton, radio operator, with BLT 1/7.

“These Marines are used to the desert, so this will be a whole new experience for them,” said Tice. “This is going to prepare them for exercises with the MEU this fall and help them become well-rounded Marines.”

As the sun came up over Camp Schwab on August 13, eight Amphibious Assault Vehicles entered the ocean.