NEW RIVER, N.C. - Marines with 2nd Light Armored Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, completed a live-fire exercise aboard U.S. Army Base Fort Knox, Ky., June 28. The training was part of LAR’s Deployed for Training event.
“The training exercise we did today was a familiarization for the Marines,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sam Mortimer, the battalion gunner with 2nd LAR. “They were taught classes, shot sub-caliber ammunitions, and performed remedial actions. After spending time in the classroom, the Marines came to the range and proved their skills by firing live rounds at targets.”
During the training exercise the Marines shot a variety of rocket launchers to include the MK-215 shoulder-fired, multi-purpose, assault weapon (SMAW), the M72 lightweight antitank weapon (LAW) and the anti-tank (AT) 4- rocket launcher.
Pfc. Rostan Crosley, a rifleman with 2nd LAR, said that the classes really gave him the confidence to effectively fire the weapons.
“I feel like the training we covered beforehand was extremely helpful because as soon as we got up there we knew all the procedures we needed to know,” said Crosley. “It definitely gives you that boost of confidence that you need.”
Crosley said this training helped the Marines become proficient in a skill set not common to their job field.
“I think this training was beneficial for all of us because the rocket weapons system really isn’t a part of our MOS,” said Crosley. “There isn’t always going to be a someone who knows how to use a rocket. So it’s up to us to cross train as much as we can.. “We can’t just do what we are told, we have to expand.”
Date Taken: | 06.28.2014 |
Date Posted: | 07.01.2014 11:42 |
Story ID: | 134954 |
Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
Web Views: | 344 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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