thedrifter
10-16-06, 08:38 PM
Camp Hansen, Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan - "Back-blast area secure," screams the assistant gunner. The gunner sounds off, "Rocket!" and depresses the trigger on his AT-4. Everything goes still for a moment; then the concussion shakes the ground and a ball of flames engulfs the target.
This was the experience for 42 Marines with 2nd Platoon, Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, who spent two days firing light anti-armor weapons, and Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapons, or SMAWs, at Camp Hansen's Rifle Range Sept. 28-29.
The training was part of the unit's work up to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"Our main goal was to get all our Marines qualified on the AT-4 and to give them the experience of firing (high-explosive) rounds," said 1st Lt. Benjamin A. Swanson, the platoon commander. "The training rounds don't give (them) the full experience of using this weapon system."
The opportunity to fire explosive rounds does not arise often according to Swanson. A single high-explosive shot from an AT-4 costs about $1,400.
"This is a pretty exciting opportunity for all of you," Swanson said to his platoon. "We will be shooting more high-explosive rounds today than most infantry battalions get to shoot in a year (for training)."
The weapons are primarily used when firing on light-armored vehicles or buildings where enemies are taking cover, said Gunnery Sgt. Jerry Guevara, the platoon sergeant.
Swanson said the training was a first-time experience for most of the Marines as many have been in the fleet for only a few months.
The Marines learned how to properly handle the weapons before firing the live rounds. They also practiced casualty evacuation to ensure that if an injury were to occur they knew what actions to take.
"Safety is always paramount with any weapons system," said Swanson. "Making sure everyone knew proper misfire procedures and where the danger zones of this weapon are were essential before firing."
During the live-fire exercise, Marines fired the 84mm, high-explosive AT-4 rounds and three inert 83mm SMAW rounds at an armored personnel carrier approximately 150 meters from their position.
Many of them felt a rush of adrenaline from the moment they unwrapped the launching system from its plastic.
"It felt like Christmas," said Pfc. Pete Cedillo, a combat engineer.
"There is a huge anticipation; it's only the seconds before you fire that you feel nervous," said Pfc. Edward John Fejeran, also a combat engineer. "When you feel the (concussion) hit you and see the explosion on the target, it's just an overwhelming feeling."
Cedillo and Fejeran were just a few of the Marines firing explosive rounds for the first time and achieving success with a direct hit.
"The exercise was a great success, especially for so many first timers," said Guevara. "For never having the chance to fire the weapon, and without the aid of a spotter, they all did very well."
Ellie
This was the experience for 42 Marines with 2nd Platoon, Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, who spent two days firing light anti-armor weapons, and Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapons, or SMAWs, at Camp Hansen's Rifle Range Sept. 28-29.
The training was part of the unit's work up to support the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"Our main goal was to get all our Marines qualified on the AT-4 and to give them the experience of firing (high-explosive) rounds," said 1st Lt. Benjamin A. Swanson, the platoon commander. "The training rounds don't give (them) the full experience of using this weapon system."
The opportunity to fire explosive rounds does not arise often according to Swanson. A single high-explosive shot from an AT-4 costs about $1,400.
"This is a pretty exciting opportunity for all of you," Swanson said to his platoon. "We will be shooting more high-explosive rounds today than most infantry battalions get to shoot in a year (for training)."
The weapons are primarily used when firing on light-armored vehicles or buildings where enemies are taking cover, said Gunnery Sgt. Jerry Guevara, the platoon sergeant.
Swanson said the training was a first-time experience for most of the Marines as many have been in the fleet for only a few months.
The Marines learned how to properly handle the weapons before firing the live rounds. They also practiced casualty evacuation to ensure that if an injury were to occur they knew what actions to take.
"Safety is always paramount with any weapons system," said Swanson. "Making sure everyone knew proper misfire procedures and where the danger zones of this weapon are were essential before firing."
During the live-fire exercise, Marines fired the 84mm, high-explosive AT-4 rounds and three inert 83mm SMAW rounds at an armored personnel carrier approximately 150 meters from their position.
Many of them felt a rush of adrenaline from the moment they unwrapped the launching system from its plastic.
"It felt like Christmas," said Pfc. Pete Cedillo, a combat engineer.
"There is a huge anticipation; it's only the seconds before you fire that you feel nervous," said Pfc. Edward John Fejeran, also a combat engineer. "When you feel the (concussion) hit you and see the explosion on the target, it's just an overwhelming feeling."
Cedillo and Fejeran were just a few of the Marines firing explosive rounds for the first time and achieving success with a direct hit.
"The exercise was a great success, especially for so many first timers," said Guevara. "For never having the chance to fire the weapon, and without the aid of a spotter, they all did very well."
Ellie