Photo By Lance Cpl. Jenna Loofe | A Bell UH-1N Twin Huey drops into the Deluz Combat Town to retrieve five Joint...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Five Joint Terminal Attack Controller Marines climbed aboard a Bell UH-1N Twin Huey on the Las Pulgas softball field and minutes later were inserted into Deluz Combat Town aboard Camp Pendleton, California, October 27, 2014.
The Marines’ role in the combat town was to assist a notional ground combat unit as its forces conducted high-value target search. When targets of opportunity arose, the JTAC Marines were there to coordinate close air support.
“Upon insertion into Deluz Combat Town, we established an over-watch position on a high-value target,” said Sgt. Frank Southammavong, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, currently attached to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
The training conducted in Deluz offered a situation different from many previous exercises, which are regularly held in open areas surrounded by hills. During this exercise, the JTACs were operating inside a developed urban environment where sightlines were shorter, and obstructions were taller.
“We get to utilize controls with real-life aircraft; there are simulated enemy forces concealing themselves within different buildings,” Southammavong said. “We are able to utilize a Geographical Reference Guide so we can pinpoint exactly which buildings to watch. We have a GRG here on the groundside and a GRG on the airside.”
When the team received confirmation that friendly forces were moving, fire shifted to protect the friendlies, and when the whereabouts of the high-value target was revealed, the notional infantry unit breached the building, said Southammavong.
“The building was secure and the maneuver element began searching for Improvised Explosive Device-making material or anything that could contribute to any future attacks,” Southammavong said. “By the time they secured the high value target, all of the enemy forces were either neutralized or destroyed.”
This exercise allowed the Marines to interact with one another in a simulated combat environment and make decisions based on the training they received, said Staff Sgt. Octavio Meza, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller currently attached to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
“Training collectively gives us the opportunity to build unit cohesion, increase productivity and focus on mission accomplishment,” said Meza.
The training concluded when the simulated high-value target was captured and transported back to Las Pulgas with the Marines aboard the Huey, said Meza.
“My takeaway from this training is being able to track friendly forces while still trying to conceal our team without getting spotted and trying to basically coordinate as many attacks as I could to support the mission,” said Southammavong.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2014 19:13 |
| Story ID: | 146512 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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