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thedrifter
10-10-03, 06:06 AM
Recon offers immediate action
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003107231020
Story by Cpl. M. Stew Allen



CAMP SAMUEL HILL, Queensland, Australia (Sept. 31, 2003) -- The mission of a reconnaissance Marine is to shape the battlefield by gathering intelligence behind enemy lines, undetected. But in combat, enemy contact may be unavoidable. If they are to prevail and continue with the mission, then they must prepare for any possibility that may arise throughout a patrol.

Ten Marines and Sailors of Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, conducted Immediate Action drills, utilizing 17,000 rounds Sept. 19-20 while participating in exercise Crocodile 2003.

CROC '03 is an Australian-led, United States-supported air, land, maritime and amphibious operations exercise designed to refine and strengthen U.S./Australian capabilities to plan and execute future combined operations.

An IA drill is designed to regain a strong fighting position as quickly as possible after being compromised by the enemy while on patrol.

"In any mission, at any time, something could go wrong and a perfect plan could deteriorate real fast," said Cpl. Matthew P. Martin, point man, DRP.

The IA drills could be in response to chance enemy contact, sniper fire, or an ambush.

"Anything we could encounter during a patrol, we train for," said Sgt. John S. Mosser, team leader, DRP.

Once the patrol has been compromised, the recon Marines will provide an onslaught of cover fire while one Marine strategically places a Claymore Anti Personnel Mine.

"You got to hit them hard, hit them fast, keep their heads low, and get out," Martin explained.

Following the Claymore's detonation, the team splits into two elements. One element will drop back while the other continues to weaken the enemy's confidence with constant barrage of fire. Both elements will take turns between providing supporting fire and falling back until either the entire team can break away from the enemy or until they can set up an ambush.

With small four to six man teams, every man plays a key role to the completion of the mission according to Martin, and if everyman is to survive an attack; these drills have to be second nature to the Marines.

"It's not delayed action drills or lets-think-about-it drills; it's Immediate Action drills," Mosser said.

The success of the team is attributed to hard training and teamwork according to Mosser.

"When you only have six guys and they're self-sustained, team work is extremely important," Mosser said. "Whether retaliating against enemy contact or conducting your general mission, team work is crucial. It's the base of our operating procedures."

Operating far past friendly lines is one more reason to be critical of training.

"We're usually too far for artillery support, so we have to be proficient with our gun fighting to survive in the forward shadow behind enemy lines," Mosser said.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200310864641/$file/RECONS-1low.jpg

Cpl Robert P. Keefe, a reconnaissance operator from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, puts on cammy paint during a field exercise for Crocodile 2003.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Riddle

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200310865553/$file/RECONS-2low.jpg

Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, wait for the word to begin an exercise during Crocodile 2003. The Recon Marines felt the final field exercise of Croc would be the 'bread and butter' of the evolution.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Riddle

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7DA5557A16B272B385256DB900116D2B?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger

thedrifter
10-10-03, 06:07 AM
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 2003106192832
Story by Cpl. Jason E. Miller



SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, QUEENSLAND, Australia(Sept. 26, 2003) -- Reconnaissance Marines are refining their ability to engage the enemy and shape the battlefield throughout most of September in support of Exercise Crocodile 2003.

Crocodile '03 is an Australian-led, U.S.-supported exercise designed to strengthen the U.S./Australian procedures to plan and execute future combined operations.

Specifically for the Marines of 3rd Platoon, Bravo Co., 3rd Reconnaissance Bn., 3rd Marine Division, the exercise is an opportunity to train with another highly disciplined military force in a new terrain.

A weeklong Field Training Exercise will be the "bread and butter" of Recon's training schedule for CROC '03 according to Staff Sgt. Michael C. Crawford, platoon sergeant, 3rd Platoon.

The FTX will consist of a simulated battle scenario between the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which will face opposing components of the U.S. military and the Australian Defense Force.

Reconnaissance will insert behind enemy lines two days prior to the FTX and will be responsible for gathering information for 3rd MEB to help shape the battlefield.

"We're here to hone our skills from mission planning to execution while working with the MEB," said Capt. Matt Schramm, platoon commander, 3rd Platoon.

According to Crawford, Recon's ability to collect information relies on the Marines' ability to gather information without revealing their position to the opposing force.

By working in Australia's various terrains, the Marines add to their experience and proficiency.

"In different environments you use different tactics," he said. "By being [in Australia], our Marines are learning there is more than just the jungle."

During CROC '03, Reconnaissance Marines also benefit from the opportunity to train against a more "conventional, high-speed" military that forces the Marines to perform at their highest standards, according to Sgt. John S. Mosser, team leader, 3rd Platoon.

"I'd rather patrol against a highly disciplined force like the Australian. If it's not a challenge, then we're not getting anything out of it, " he continued. "We've been looking forward to this exercise for months."

Recon's involvement also contributes to the exercise's central mission - to strengthen the execution of future U.S./Australian combined operations.

"We've met a lot of Australian military personnel interested in what we do, and we're interested in what they do - because once we're on the field of battle, we all have to be on the same wavelength," said Cpl. Michael L. Avinger, ammunition chief, 3rd Reconnaissance Bn.

Besides the FTX, Reconnaissance has a full training schedule throughout the exercise including demolition training, immediate action drills to ambush the enemy, and sniper fire and man tracking training.

"The more technically proficient we are, the more of an asset we are to the Marine Corps," Mosser said. "This whole training operation is awesome. Every time we do something, we get better at it."

Mosser believes this training not only strengthens his unit but also the Marine Corps.

"The more we become well-rounded reconnaissance Marines, the more of a highly qualified asset we become to the MEB. The better we become at gathering information, the more lives we save," Mosser said.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/409C761EDD237B7785256DB70080F49B?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger
:marine: