August 22 was an early day for Company I as they prepared for war during the final part of the Mojave Viper Training at Twentynine Palms.

The training they received the previous day included classes and practical application of setting blocking positions, reaction to sniper fire, executing a cordon and search, site exploitation and reacting to an improvised explosive device.

Each squad ran a cordon-and-knock drill in the mock Iraqi town.

“Running the drills helps us refine our immediate action,” said Cpl Sergio Zacarias Jr., a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

The most dangerous threat in Iraq right now is IEDs and snipers, said Zacarias, 22 from Los Angeles.

Upon discovering a roadside IED, Sgt. James A. Whitwan, who was in charge of setting up the outer cordon blocking, called Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

Company I also began to take sniper fire from the second story of a building, said Whitwan, a squad leader with Company I.

They then had to locate and suppress the insurgent, said Whitwan, 25, from Eauclair, Wyo.

“Our objective was to block off the cordon and gather intel,” said Whitwan.

“I don’t like being in the house longer than 30 minutes,” said Whitwan."But if I am getting good information, I will stay longer."

“We always search the entire house,” said Zacarias, who has deployed twice with Company I.

Performing a search gives them the location of the entry and exit points of the house.

“In case there is a high-valued individual or a high-valued target inside we can come back and we know the layout,” said Cpl. Raymond A. Smith, 23, from Granite City, Ill., a rifleman with Company I.

The most important thing is remembering to be friendly, but being prepared to kill, said Cpl. Brandon A. Koch, a mortarman with Company I.

“No greater friend, no worse enemy,” said Koch, 24, Potosi, Mo.

“We don’t want to stay too long, because it could endanger the Marines and the family who lives at the house,” Whitwan said.

If there happens to be a high valued individual in the house and Marines want to come back, doing a cordon and knock will provide intel.

“The training is helpful, it gives the new Marines an introduction to what they will experience in country,” said Sgt. Lamont R. Finney, 25, St Louis, a squad leader with Company I.

The simulated improvised explosive devices and the role players will never compare to the real Iraq, but at least it is a good start, Finney said.

Prior to doing the Mojave Viper training, Company I has also completed training at Stu Segal Studios, which focused more on squad based maneuvers, Finney said.

Between Stu Segal Studios and Mojave Viper, these Marines are now better trained for Iraq.