thedrifter
12-22-03, 08:11 AM
Marine snipers elevate training to higher level
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200312214336
Story by PFC. T. J. Kaemmerer
CAMP HANSEN , Okinawa, Japan -- A handful of Marines from 3rd Marine Division, as well a few special forces soldiers, took part in advanced sniper training above an uninhabited island off the coast of Okinawa Dec. 10.
Instructors from Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, taught four Marines from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, one from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and a few soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group the fundamentals of shooting targets from a CH-53D Super Stallion Helicopter.
The snipers conduct this type of aerial training twice a year to learn tactics which help them properly support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), according to Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Lietha, senior marksmanship instructor, SOTG. This training teaches the snipers to properly engage targets from an unstable aerial platform, such as a helicopter, allowing them a wider view from which they can hit multiple targets quickly. Using the helicopter also gives these Marines a better firing position in supporting the MSPF with vessel boarding search and seizure operations.
"The students learned it is harder to acquire a target because the helicopter is always moving and there are a lot of noises and confusion to distract them in the helicopter," explained Lietha.
The Marines began by securing the Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle to the helicopter's rear ramp by tying the weapon's bi-pod to the holes in the helicopter's framework. They then set up the fields of fire for the M40A3 sniper rifle in the forward troop area of the helicopter using 550 Cord and a rappelling clip, which they later slid the barrel of the rifle through. This allowed them to fire while making sure they could not hit any part of the helicopter.
"If we hit the helicopter it could turn into a really bad day very quickly," said Lietha.
Once the preparations are made, the snipers were given some quick instructions on shooting from the helicopter by Lietha and Staff Sgt. Roman Nowicki, an instructor with SOTG. After the brief, they put on helmets with ear protection and then climbed aboard the helicopter.
On the short trip to the training area the Marines began loading magazines, each with five, .50 caliber rounds. As they approached the island, one shooter at a time placed a gunner's belt around his waist and settled in a prone position behind the .50 caliber sniper rifle. At the same time in the forward troop area of the helicopter a Marine stood holding the M40A3 with the barrel out the window as he loaded three, 7.62-mm rounds into the rifle. As they flew over the island the instructors tapped the Marines on the shoulder, giving them their cue to start firing. Each Marine took his shots at old discarded vehicle hulls and large rocks then returned to his seat as the helicopter made another pass and the next Marine took his turn.
"The students all performed exceptionally well," said Lietha. "They all became extremely accurate shooters."
Once the Marines fired all their rounds, the helicopter began the trip back to the Camp Hansen landing zone. When the Marines got on the ground they packed their gear back onto the truck and talked about the challenges of shooting from the air.
"Marine snipers are always looking for assertive individuals willing to go the extra mile to pursue the scout sniper MOS, 8541," said Nowicki.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003122143829/$file/Release%231008-2003-01low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan - Pfc. Josh Freeman aims in on the island he is targeting with the PVS 10 day/night scope attached to the M40A3 sniper rifle on Dec. 10 during advanced sniper training. Photo by: Pfc. T. J. Kaemmerer
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/68CA8B1A38A410E985256E0300347844?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200312214336
Story by PFC. T. J. Kaemmerer
CAMP HANSEN , Okinawa, Japan -- A handful of Marines from 3rd Marine Division, as well a few special forces soldiers, took part in advanced sniper training above an uninhabited island off the coast of Okinawa Dec. 10.
Instructors from Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, taught four Marines from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, one from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and a few soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group the fundamentals of shooting targets from a CH-53D Super Stallion Helicopter.
The snipers conduct this type of aerial training twice a year to learn tactics which help them properly support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), according to Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Lietha, senior marksmanship instructor, SOTG. This training teaches the snipers to properly engage targets from an unstable aerial platform, such as a helicopter, allowing them a wider view from which they can hit multiple targets quickly. Using the helicopter also gives these Marines a better firing position in supporting the MSPF with vessel boarding search and seizure operations.
"The students learned it is harder to acquire a target because the helicopter is always moving and there are a lot of noises and confusion to distract them in the helicopter," explained Lietha.
The Marines began by securing the Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle to the helicopter's rear ramp by tying the weapon's bi-pod to the holes in the helicopter's framework. They then set up the fields of fire for the M40A3 sniper rifle in the forward troop area of the helicopter using 550 Cord and a rappelling clip, which they later slid the barrel of the rifle through. This allowed them to fire while making sure they could not hit any part of the helicopter.
"If we hit the helicopter it could turn into a really bad day very quickly," said Lietha.
Once the preparations are made, the snipers were given some quick instructions on shooting from the helicopter by Lietha and Staff Sgt. Roman Nowicki, an instructor with SOTG. After the brief, they put on helmets with ear protection and then climbed aboard the helicopter.
On the short trip to the training area the Marines began loading magazines, each with five, .50 caliber rounds. As they approached the island, one shooter at a time placed a gunner's belt around his waist and settled in a prone position behind the .50 caliber sniper rifle. At the same time in the forward troop area of the helicopter a Marine stood holding the M40A3 with the barrel out the window as he loaded three, 7.62-mm rounds into the rifle. As they flew over the island the instructors tapped the Marines on the shoulder, giving them their cue to start firing. Each Marine took his shots at old discarded vehicle hulls and large rocks then returned to his seat as the helicopter made another pass and the next Marine took his turn.
"The students all performed exceptionally well," said Lietha. "They all became extremely accurate shooters."
Once the Marines fired all their rounds, the helicopter began the trip back to the Camp Hansen landing zone. When the Marines got on the ground they packed their gear back onto the truck and talked about the challenges of shooting from the air.
"Marine snipers are always looking for assertive individuals willing to go the extra mile to pursue the scout sniper MOS, 8541," said Nowicki.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003122143829/$file/Release%231008-2003-01low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan - Pfc. Josh Freeman aims in on the island he is targeting with the PVS 10 day/night scope attached to the M40A3 sniper rifle on Dec. 10 during advanced sniper training. Photo by: Pfc. T. J. Kaemmerer
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/68CA8B1A38A410E985256E0300347844?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: