MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Combat Service Support Battalion 10 Marines are making sure they're ready for convoy attacks by enemy fighters should they deploy to Iraq.

The unit conducted convoy operations Nov. 18-20 as part of a stepped-up training regiment as I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines prepare should their unit be tagged.

U.S. military and coalition convoys continue to be targeted by enemy forces in Iraq. Marines from CSSB-10 are making sure they're ready to fend off such attacks.

Through classroom study and practical application in the field, CSSB-10's noncommissioned officers trained junior Marines to plan convoy operations, attack enemy attacks and set up security perimeters when stopped.

"Before every driver gets in a convoy, he gets a convoy brief by the convoy commander," said Cpl. David J. Woods, a convoy vehicle driver. "The convoy commander needs to know when they're going to punch out, what they're doing, what they need to have on their truck, whether it's going to be a long haul or a short haul and what kind of gear they need to bring."

Woods said drivers keep to a specified distance from the vehicle in front of them. This way, the enemy cannot bring effective fire on the entire convoy.

At night, vehicles adjust the spacing, sticking to a different standard operating procedure. This reduces the risk of the darkness concealing leading vehicles from those following.

But it's not all about driving at safe intervals, Woods added. Halts are a necessary and dangerous aspect of convoy operations. Convoy leaders order either long halts or stops as short as 10 minutes for rest, personal comfort and relief, eating, refueling, maintenance and inspection of equipment.

During a halt, proper security must be maintained in case of an attack. It's such a vulnerable time for Marines, halts are outlined in a convoy operations handbook. The manual states an ambush is one of the most effective ways to interdict a convoy and is therefore a threat the convoy must be prepared to counter.

Formation of vehicles is an important aspect of countering an ambush.

"If they come to a security halt, instead of just sitting in the middle of the road and being an open target, they'll do something called a herringbone, which is pretty much a tactical column on the side of the road," said Sgt. Edward I. Salatino, who served as a platoon commander during CSSB-10's exercises.

Marines tested themselves on actions once they're fired upon during a halt.

They practiced responses to random pot-shots and full-blown attacks.

"Typically if they're out there on a convoy and they get (attacked), they'll use their immediate action; but if it's something like random sniper fire, they've been instructed to proceed through it," Salatino said.

The operation taught the NCOs to step up and lead in a combat environment.

"When it's all said and done, we're going to turn wrenches one hour and the next hour we're going to be on the line," said Lt. Col. Robert K. Weinkle, CSSB-10's commanding officer. "They're gaining that combat skill leadership. NCOs are going to lead the way; they are the executers of the mission... the ones that are kicking folks in the behind and making them do what it takes to get the job done."

Being led by NCOs filling in for staff NCO's and officers gave the junior Marines a chance to step up and fill empty shoes.

"The lance corporals and below are getting what I think they should be getting out of it, which is learning how to be leaders themselves," said Sgt. Jennifer Sanchez, who acted as 1st Platoon commander.

"They have to go out there in a hole on their own and make their own decisions."