Shaffer
03-10-03, 05:12 PM
CAMP FUJI, Japan(Mar 7 2003) -- Lance Cpl. Aaron J. Ackerman is used to being in bitter cold surroundings such as the one he is in here. Before he joined the Marine Corps, the field artilleryman used to snowboard on a regular basis in his hometown of Easton, Pa.
Although he has since put down his snowboard, he finds himself in the snow once again.
Ackerman is one of the Marines assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, who recently participated in a live-fire shoot in the snow-barren lands of Camp Fuji.
"The weather doesn't seem to be affecting our proficiency at all," Ackerman claimed.
"This is the first time I've shot artillery in the snow. Even though I enjoy this type of environment, it can get some of us pretty down. It's times like that when we pull together and do what we can to have a good time," he added.
While here on a two and a half-week training deployment recently, C Battery spent four days in the field. The exercise culminated with a live-fire exercise. The battery packed up five of its M198 Medium Howitzer cannons and received some much-needed training, according to 1st Lt. Nolan L. Moxley, executive officer.
"We're trying to work on things within the battery that we feel the need to be worked on," the Sheridan, Wyo., native said. "The main objective here is just to keep the Marines ready for combat."
Moxley added that the importance of the field operation was centered on keeping the term "force-in-readiness" true to its name.
"The job of these Marines is to always be ready for battle in case they're ever called upon," Moxley said. "It's our job to make sure these Marines are prepared to take care of business anywhere and bring as many Marines possible home alive."
The battery kicked off the exercise at a secluded area, where it fired upon different targets. As the week progressed, the Marines moved to other locations throughout the area, improving their skills with their howitzer cannons each time.
The battery was training as if the exercise was real, maintaining a heightened state of security by posting some of their own into positions around the gun line with M16A2 service rifles and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons.
The Marines also practiced a movement called a "hasty displacement," which was to be used at anytime the enemy compromised the battery's position. The hasty displacement requires the battery to hitch the cannons to the backs of its 5-ton tactical vehicles, gather all of its equipment and move to another location as quickly as possible.
The scenario may seem simple, but the entire operation is a bit more complicated, according to Moxley.
"There are different mission situations to be conducted in conjunction with different time standards," Moxley stated. "Throughout the week, the leadership of the battery is looking at it and making sure everything is progressing in the right direction."
Ackerman agreed by saying the battery is operating at a high level of skill. According to him, this is due in part to the cooperation between the Marines in the battery.
"Part of what makes this such a good place for me is being with a bunch of Marines that are as close together in friendship as we are," Ackerman said.
Although he has since put down his snowboard, he finds himself in the snow once again.
Ackerman is one of the Marines assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, who recently participated in a live-fire shoot in the snow-barren lands of Camp Fuji.
"The weather doesn't seem to be affecting our proficiency at all," Ackerman claimed.
"This is the first time I've shot artillery in the snow. Even though I enjoy this type of environment, it can get some of us pretty down. It's times like that when we pull together and do what we can to have a good time," he added.
While here on a two and a half-week training deployment recently, C Battery spent four days in the field. The exercise culminated with a live-fire exercise. The battery packed up five of its M198 Medium Howitzer cannons and received some much-needed training, according to 1st Lt. Nolan L. Moxley, executive officer.
"We're trying to work on things within the battery that we feel the need to be worked on," the Sheridan, Wyo., native said. "The main objective here is just to keep the Marines ready for combat."
Moxley added that the importance of the field operation was centered on keeping the term "force-in-readiness" true to its name.
"The job of these Marines is to always be ready for battle in case they're ever called upon," Moxley said. "It's our job to make sure these Marines are prepared to take care of business anywhere and bring as many Marines possible home alive."
The battery kicked off the exercise at a secluded area, where it fired upon different targets. As the week progressed, the Marines moved to other locations throughout the area, improving their skills with their howitzer cannons each time.
The battery was training as if the exercise was real, maintaining a heightened state of security by posting some of their own into positions around the gun line with M16A2 service rifles and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons.
The Marines also practiced a movement called a "hasty displacement," which was to be used at anytime the enemy compromised the battery's position. The hasty displacement requires the battery to hitch the cannons to the backs of its 5-ton tactical vehicles, gather all of its equipment and move to another location as quickly as possible.
The scenario may seem simple, but the entire operation is a bit more complicated, according to Moxley.
"There are different mission situations to be conducted in conjunction with different time standards," Moxley stated. "Throughout the week, the leadership of the battery is looking at it and making sure everything is progressing in the right direction."
Ackerman agreed by saying the battery is operating at a high level of skill. According to him, this is due in part to the cooperation between the Marines in the battery.
"Part of what makes this such a good place for me is being with a bunch of Marines that are as close together in friendship as we are," Ackerman said.