MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Knowledge is power, and when dealing with improvised explosive devices in Iraq, it can mean the difference between life and death for Marines and Sailors.
About 900 combat logistics Marines from the 1st Marine Logistics Group were armed with knowledge needed to fight IED attacks when Los Angeles Police Detective Ralph Morten, a member of the L.A.P.D. bomb squad, addressed them at the base theater Jan. 27.
Not only did the Marines learn about IEDs, but they also learned about suicide bombers, vehicle bombers and terrorist threats from a video presentation starring retired Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey.
“It’s outstanding training,” said Staff Sgt. Larry A. Willenborg, training chief for Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st MLG. “It’s stuff the Marines will encounter in Iraq.”
Morten, a former Marine, started working with the Marines here in January 2004, after Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division at the time, attended a brief Morten gave in Los Angeles.
“Mattis wanted to know how the L.A.P.D. fights the gang wars in L.A., because a lot of the techniques we use to (combat) drive-bys and gang shootings here can transfer to the Marine side,” Morten said.
Two months after his conversation with Lt. Gen. Mattis, Morten deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Now with five Iraq deployments under his belt and experience serving with the Israeli police, Morten wants to share the knowledge.
“Why not share the knowledge if it saves lives?” Morten said.
The only challenge is keeping the knowledge fresh and up to date, Morten said.
“It’s helpful because it’s mentally preparing me for my deployment,” said Lance Cpl. Mark A. Estrada, a motor transport mechanic with 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st MLG. “The instruction is showing me stuff to look out for and be aware of, especially on convoys with IEDs.”
Morten credits William Bratton, L.A.P.D. police chief, for supporting him with the L.A.P.D. and Marine collaboration.
“With out his support I couldn’t do this,” Morten said.
Morten plans to keep educating Marines on terrorist tactics by any means necessary.
“I will continue to work with Marines as long as they let me or until I retire,” Morten said.
Since the Marine Corps gave him knowledge in 1972, the least he could do is give some back to the Marines, Morten said.
To request an educational brief on IEDs, contact: rmorten@aol.com