Photo By Cpl. Joey Holeman | Marines with Combat Logistics Detachment 331 watch as explosives go off during an...... read more read more
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NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Detachment-331 heightened their combat engineer skills during an urban demo range August 17 at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia as a part of Exercise Koolendong 14.
The Marines of CLD-331 were able to take full advantage of Bradshaw’s vast training area by creating improvised explosives and cross training throughout the unit all while increasing combat effectiveness.
“We went out and worked on charges with the combat engineers, who were actually teaching breaching charges to Marines with other military jobs,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marlon E. Horton, the engineer operations platoon commander with the detachment. “Mostly we did expeditionary Bangalores. We also did Bangalore and Uli-knots used for door breaching, as well as door charges, window charges and water charges.”
The detachment is assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 3, which is the Logistical Combat Element of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin. The rotational deployment in Darwin enables Marines to more effectively train, exercise, and operate with partners, and enhances regional security and builds capacity to respond more rapidly to natural disasters and crises throughout the region.
CLD-331’s mission during Koolendong is to supply logistical support to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines throughout the exercise, but the demo range was an opportunity for many of the Marines in the unit to learn hands on about what the capabilities of combat engineers are.
"I think anytime you get to cross train outside of your job, it broadens your knowledge of the Marine Corps, gives you a better understanding of your support, and how you can affect the warfighter on the ground,” said Horton. “It gives the Marines that don’t get a chance to necessarily get out more motivation because everything they do supports Marines on the ground.”
During the range, Marines learned about the precise measurements that go into demolition, while also learning about the more improvised techniques of a combat engineer.
“Today we made a ‘grape shot,’ which is an improvised claymore. It’s basically just C4 and any kind of shrapnel you can put into it,” said Sgt. Chad M. Specht, a combat engineer with the detachment.
The range ended with a series of explosions highlighting the end of a long day in the Australian outback. The Marines were all able to walk away learning something new from one another.
“CLD-331’s focus is logistics, so when combat engineers are attached with a logistical unit, it is important for us to pass knowledge on to each other,” said Cpl. Eric Acosta, a combat engineer with the detachment.
“Today was a successful day. All charges blew on the first try, we didn’t have any misfires, and every Marine learned a lot,” said Horton.
Training within the austere conditions of Australian’s Northern Territory has strengthened the mission readiness of the Marines. Their presence reflects the enduring U.S.-Australia alliance and common security interests in the region.
The demo range brought Marines together in the unit and reminded some of them of the opportunity that the Marine Corps provides them.
“This is what I signed up for,” said Specht. “Not many people get paid to blow things up and have fun.”
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2014 07:46 |
| Story ID: | 139899 |
| Location: | BRADSHAW FIELD TRAINING AREA , NORTHERN TERRITORY, AU |
| Hometown: | CHEYENNE, WYOMING, US |
| Hometown: | TACOMA, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 417 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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