Photo By Sgt. Devon Tindle | Lance Cpl. Roman Khrystin, from Koveo, Ukraine, fires an M9A1 9 mm service pistol...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Marines guide magazines into pistols as the command “load” echoes over the range. The command to engage targets is given. Slow, steady squeezes of the triggers send projectiles down range, tearing through paper targets.
This scene played out several times as Marines with Company B, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, fired from different shooting positions during combat marksmanship training Aug. 26 at Camp Hansen. Marines fired M9A1 9 mm service pistols and engaged multiple targets from 7, 15 and 25 yards.
The training also had the unique element of firing from unorthodox shooting positions. Marines shot from sitting, prone and lying on their backs to simulate situations they may encounter in close combat.
“The training helped simulate an instance where you might receive a projectile to the chest and get knocked to the ground, where you have to keep pushing forward (to reach the objective),” said Lance Cpl. Joseph Miller, a military policeman with Company B, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.
Marines from the battalion regularly train for scenarios requiring them to react quickly to evolving situations.
“We complete these training events every quarter to maintain unit readiness with a variety of weapons systems,” said Staff Sgt. James Flint, a military policeman with Company B. “We are a reaction force for the (Asia-Pacific region), so confidence as marksmen is vital.”
The battalion is made up of field military policemen whose work relies more on combat skills than their installation counterparts, according to Miller, from Greely, Colorado.
“We don’t have a set schedule,” said Miller. “Some days are early and some are late; completing different training all the time.”
The scenarios simulated fighting in close-quarter combat situations or in military operations on urbanized terrain with the pistol, according to Lance Cpl. Corey Johns, a military policeman with Company B.
“The pistol is more of a close-quarter weapon where the rifle isn’t as effective while inside buildings,” said Johns, from Dayton, Ohio. “It’s always good to be proficient in every tool we have.”
The Marines enjoy coming to the range and learning skills that exceed what the basic pistol qualification teaches, according to Lance Cpl. D’Marcus Andrus, an intelligence specialist with the battalion.
“When it comes to marksmanship training, (these drills are) a good hands-on way to learn how to use this weapon system,” said Andrus, from New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Marines appreciate the opportunity to execute the unique training package, according to Miller.
“We don’t always get to come out to handle the pistols,” said Miller. “It is fun getting to let rounds go down range. We always look forward to coming back out.”
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2014 01:10 |
| Story ID: | 141754 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | DAYTON, OHIO, US |
| Hometown: | FORT WORTH, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | GREELEY, COLORADO, US |
| Hometown: | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 278 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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