Photo By Cpl. Sullivan Laramie | Navy Lt. Inga Keithly, a San Diego, Calif., native and dentist assigned to 2nd...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The call came over the radio and Marines dashed to their positions. They set coordinates, verified their ammunition and loaded the howitzers.
“Fire,” echoed down the line and a deafening blast launched 97 pounds of explosives and casing down range. The gun crews swung back into action, prepping for another volley like a series of gears pushed by each explosion to keep the whole system in action.
Marines and sailors assigned 2nd Marine Logistics Group and 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division worked together to send rounds down range during the three-week exercise known as Rolling Thunder here, April 28 to May 17.
Rolling Thunder is a biannual training operation during which 10th Marines conducts live-fire artillery operations while receiving support from a logistics combat element, or LCE, provided by 2nd MLG. This time, 2nd Maintenance Battalion led the charge to keep the cannons of 10th Marines alive.
SUPPORTING THE MACHINE
Rolling Thunder prepares units such as 10th Marines and 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd MLG for joint combat and logistics operations during deployments. In and of itself, the operation is a significant logistical undertaking that draws upon units throughout II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The LCE provided food, water and fuel for all components of 10th Marines on Fort Bragg through resupply convoys. Marines with the battalion worked day and night to make repairs on vehicles and howitzers to ensure the regiment operated as smoothly as possible for the duration of the training.
Both units used the opportunity to cross train their personnel on equipment and operations they might not otherwise encounter.
“We work directly with 2nd Maintenance Battalion on higher-level maintenance and annual maintenance, especially with the M777 howitzer,” said Chief Warrant Officer Richard Gulczynski, the ordnance officer for 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines. “During Rolling Thunder, we have an opportunity to get artillery mechanics from 2nd MLG attached to firing batteries, something they don’t normally get to see. [10th Marines’ mechanics] are right there on the line with the cannoneers, and they’re working hand-in-hand with the [MLG Marines] who got a rare opportunity this time to get a taste of the battalion.”
Several of the LCE's artillery mechanics stayed with the batteries to get firsthand knowledge of the type of maintenance performed on howitzers at the gun line and a chance to see the batteries in action. The cannoneers even gave LCE Marines opportunities to assist in fire missions by performing tasks usually reserved for artillerymen, including loading and firing the guns.
PERSONNEL SUPPORT
As the howitzers blazed, dental specialists from 2nd MLG also came to the firing line and examined artillerymen only 100 feet away from their guns. Working to complete the regiment’s annual dental requirements in the field by examining Marines on the front lines, the dental specialists helped keep the guns firing and circumvented the challenge of transporting personnel to the dental clinic.
Navy dental specialists traveled from battery to battery with dental tools and a portable X-ray machine to complete an unconventional but effective series of exams.
“These Marines didn’t come to Fort Bragg to wait in line at dental,” said Navy Lt. Inga Keithly, a San Diego, Calif., native and commander of the dental detachment during Rolling Thunder. “They came to shoot howitzers, so by bringing dental [care] to the firing line, we get to maximize their training while improving the dental readiness of II Marine Expeditionary Force.”
Marines also completed combat lifesaver and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance and reaction training to increase medical emergency preparedness in combat and when responding to casualties arriving at an operating post. The battalion responded to simulated CBRN attacks several times throughout the exercise and quick reaction forces deployed to eliminate enemy threats, portrayed by other members of the LCE.
A detachment of Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group joined service members from 10th Marines to hone their convoy security and engage targets with vehicle-mounted weapons.
“Every convoy we take out has security vehicles and each security vehicle has a machine gun,” said 2nd Lt. Samuel Irvine, a platoon commander with CLB-2. “It’s important for every Marine to be trained on each weapon system, whether they’re gunners or not, because if the gunner goes down, someone else has to step up. [Readiness] is our greatest protection out there.”
With each request for support called in and resupply mission completed to keep 10th Marines in action, the regiment provided valuable training to 2nd MLG by allowing logistics Marines and medical personnel to perform their occupational specialties and giving them the chance to participate in operations on the gun line.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2014 12:41 |
| Story ID: | 130091 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 281 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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