MONTANA — Six Combat Engineers from Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 stationed at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, arrived at the Trapper Creek Job Corps in Darby, Mont., for a very different kind of training.

The combat engineers would spend the next week immersed in the Developing Thinking Sawyers chainsaw course. This program was also designed as a train-the-trainer event covering topics such as chainsaw techniques and complex bucking and falling operations. Combat engineers use chainsaws for diverse applications including building and removing barricades, creating landing zones and in typhoon rescue operations.

The Marines left the course with a comprehensive understanding of saw safety operations and the ability to implement the Forest Service Saw Curriculum within the U.S. Marine Corps.

“The Marines have returned eager to take the lessons learned and share their knowledge with other Combat Engineers throughout the Marine Corps and have already begun designing a new training course for the other engineers on Okinawa. I hope that we can continue to work together in the future and we can continue to give our Marines the knowledge and skills required to be successful no matter where they may be deployed to,” said Captain Jason Sander, engineer company commander.

Upon their return to Camp Hansen, the Marines quickly put their new qualifications to work increasing the number of licensed saw operators to twenty just in time for typhoon season.

Camp Hansen is under constant threat of typhoons and chainsaw operator are a crucial part of Rapid Response Teams to clear roads of any debris, including fallen trees.

Going forward, Captain Sander hopes to send more Marine Combat Engineers to Montana for similar courses. Their goal is to get as many Marines as possible through the courses, as often as possible.  

“I believe courses like this one offer a different experience for us than most. It does help with troop morale and retention. Being able to have these experiences is what Marines sign up for,” said Mario Castaneda Jr., First Lieutenant, combat engineer platoon commander.

For their dedication to the collaborative training effort instructors Job Corps Fire and Aviation Management Program Coordinator Justin Abbey, Region One Saw Program Manager Adam Washebek and Todd Wilson, retired Region One saw program manager and volunteer, received company coins from MWSS 172 as a sign of gratitude.

“The Forest Service Saw Program is looking forward to continuing this collaboration and education effort with the US Marine Corps,” said Washebek.