thedrifter
03-26-04, 03:22 AM
'Untouchables' more combat capable
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 2004324111132
Story by Sgt. Christine C. Odom
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(March 20, 2004) -- During a two-day field evolution, Marine Wing Support Squadron-272, Motor Transport Division conducted Military Operations on Urban Terrain training, March 20 and 21, to improve their Marines’ warfighting skills.
“It’s a good change from our everyday work routine,” said Cpl. Brandon P. Hammontree, MT mechanic. “It also gives us the opportunity to cross train a little bit.”
This was the first field exercise the Warner Robins, Ga., native participated in since the “Untouchables” returned from Kuwait last June.
Approximately 65 warriors took part in the exercise, 47 of whom assumed the role of infantrymen, and 18 played protesters. The event was conducted at Combat Town aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.
This urban setting was ideal for the Marines to train in because at any time during combat, they could be assigned a mission to secure a building or home, and they needed to know the proper procedures to function in that environment, explained 1st Lt. Shawn H. Daley, division commander.
The infantrymen were geared up in the usual 782 gear: Kevlar helmets, fragmentation jackets, load-bearing vests and canteens. In addition, the Marines wore the Multipurpose Integrated Laser Engagement System gear to bring more realism to the training, added Daley, who is from Manassas, Va.
The MILES-2000 gear consists of sensors worn on the helmet (halo) and around the upper body (vest). A laser transmitter is also mounted on each M-16 A2 service rifle and is coded to fire an invisible, optically safe laser for a distance replicating the rifle’s maximum effective range.
Protesters, on the other hand, had it a little easier since their uniform for the exercise was civilian attire. The mission of the protesters was to act as aggressors when encountering infantrymen as they provided security for the convoys. To also simulate unexpected dangerous conditions, the division had Explosive Ordnance Disposal plant six unexploded ordnances (UXO), which resemble grenades, mines or bombs in the area around the training site, clarified Daley.
Other ammunition and weapons used during the evolution included dummy rounds for the rifles, M240G medium machine guns, an M136 AT4 rocket launcher and MK 19 40 mm machine guns, which were mounted on 7-ton trucks. A total of 17 vehicles were deployed to Combat Town as part of the convoy.
According to Daley, the Marines carried out various real-world missions to include convoy security, reaction to sniper fire, coordinating searches, riot control, contact from the front/back and left/right.
“The training is intense,” said Sgt. Alfred R. Bela, MT mechanic from Fort Valley, Ga. “It was a little more than what I expected.”
With little down time in the schedule, Marines still continued to push through the training with enthusiasm and eagerness, stated Bela, who believed this training was also a way to build more leadership, not just for the noncommissioned officers, but for the junior Marines as well.
“It’s no longer ‘if,’ it’s a matter of ‘when,’” said Lt. Col. Joseph K. Haviland, who hails from Philadelphia. “When the call comes, I can say with confidence, the Marines are ready.”
The “Untouchables” of MWSS-272 will continue to apply this earnestness toward warfighting until they reach their goal of being more combat capable, concluded Daley.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/FFAA2EE2BE2292FD85256E610058F256?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 2004324111132
Story by Sgt. Christine C. Odom
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(March 20, 2004) -- During a two-day field evolution, Marine Wing Support Squadron-272, Motor Transport Division conducted Military Operations on Urban Terrain training, March 20 and 21, to improve their Marines’ warfighting skills.
“It’s a good change from our everyday work routine,” said Cpl. Brandon P. Hammontree, MT mechanic. “It also gives us the opportunity to cross train a little bit.”
This was the first field exercise the Warner Robins, Ga., native participated in since the “Untouchables” returned from Kuwait last June.
Approximately 65 warriors took part in the exercise, 47 of whom assumed the role of infantrymen, and 18 played protesters. The event was conducted at Combat Town aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.
This urban setting was ideal for the Marines to train in because at any time during combat, they could be assigned a mission to secure a building or home, and they needed to know the proper procedures to function in that environment, explained 1st Lt. Shawn H. Daley, division commander.
The infantrymen were geared up in the usual 782 gear: Kevlar helmets, fragmentation jackets, load-bearing vests and canteens. In addition, the Marines wore the Multipurpose Integrated Laser Engagement System gear to bring more realism to the training, added Daley, who is from Manassas, Va.
The MILES-2000 gear consists of sensors worn on the helmet (halo) and around the upper body (vest). A laser transmitter is also mounted on each M-16 A2 service rifle and is coded to fire an invisible, optically safe laser for a distance replicating the rifle’s maximum effective range.
Protesters, on the other hand, had it a little easier since their uniform for the exercise was civilian attire. The mission of the protesters was to act as aggressors when encountering infantrymen as they provided security for the convoys. To also simulate unexpected dangerous conditions, the division had Explosive Ordnance Disposal plant six unexploded ordnances (UXO), which resemble grenades, mines or bombs in the area around the training site, clarified Daley.
Other ammunition and weapons used during the evolution included dummy rounds for the rifles, M240G medium machine guns, an M136 AT4 rocket launcher and MK 19 40 mm machine guns, which were mounted on 7-ton trucks. A total of 17 vehicles were deployed to Combat Town as part of the convoy.
According to Daley, the Marines carried out various real-world missions to include convoy security, reaction to sniper fire, coordinating searches, riot control, contact from the front/back and left/right.
“The training is intense,” said Sgt. Alfred R. Bela, MT mechanic from Fort Valley, Ga. “It was a little more than what I expected.”
With little down time in the schedule, Marines still continued to push through the training with enthusiasm and eagerness, stated Bela, who believed this training was also a way to build more leadership, not just for the noncommissioned officers, but for the junior Marines as well.
“It’s no longer ‘if,’ it’s a matter of ‘when,’” said Lt. Col. Joseph K. Haviland, who hails from Philadelphia. “When the call comes, I can say with confidence, the Marines are ready.”
The “Untouchables” of MWSS-272 will continue to apply this earnestness toward warfighting until they reach their goal of being more combat capable, concluded Daley.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/FFAA2EE2BE2292FD85256E610058F256?opendocument
Ellie