Photo By Staff Sgt. Andy Orozco | Marines with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, tie miscellaneous...... read more read more
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With the crackle of a radio, Marines nearby begin moving quickly yet tediously. They have mere seconds to load the 120mm mortar and have rounds in the air in support of a unit requesting their help. Like anything it’s dangerous, so even though they may be moving quickly, they must have an accurate shot and ensure they are loading the correct ammunition at the right time. The job, though daunting, is done quickly and within a blink of the eye the cannon is roaring to life with a screaming bang.
Thirty-five Marines with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, executed an Expeditionary Fire Support System Raid with the 120mm mortar system, used to support ground units in an expedient manor, and fired 24 rounds during a single fire mission at Mortar Position-5, aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 18, 2015.
The training was conducted to give Marines with the battery a better understanding of how an EFSS works, said 1st Lt. Joshua Harvey, a platoon commander with the battery.
“We have done many short range operations with these mortars, but never used the EFSS the way it was intended; which is to embark and disembark off an MV-22 Osprey,” said Harvey. “The weapon and the vehicle that pulls it are both small enough to fit in the back of an Osprey; making it an ideal weapon, because of its effective firepower that can be quickly moved about the battlefield.”
Utilizing the Osprey to move the EFSS, allows for the Marines to expand their maneuverability, allowing them to support more scenarios when called upon.
“Having the ability to use the Osprey gives us a great range, and the ability to conduct raids like the one we conducted today,” said Harvey. “With an Osprey we can load onto a ship, conduct a fast raid into an area, fire what rounds we need to in support of a ground mission and then return to ship quickly.”
Cpl. Austin Lebarron, a sections chief with the battery, said there were strong differences between their previous EFSS operations and the training they conducted with the MV-22s.
“Generally, if we didn’t have Ospreys we would pack up our gear, convoy to a location and support infantry units from a closer range than standard cannons that we normally use,” said Lebarron. “Flying is a more effective way of transporting these weapons versus driving, which limits us to a 300 mile range.”
“Although I have never seen this method used in combat, I’ve heard testimonials of its effectiveness,” said Lebarron. “We can get up there quick, get close to the point of friction, and if we are needed, we can function in direct support of the infantry, because we’re a provisional rifle company.”
The battery also used this training in preparation for a demonstration of the EFSS that officers will experience while attending The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, starting in April.
“I think this was a fantastic opportunity for our Marines,” said Harvey. “We rarely get to work with the air wing, so getting that coordination with Ospreys and getting our Marines to load the systems on them, and use them the way they’re supposed to, is fantastic.”
| Date Taken: | 02.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2015 16:14 |
| Story ID: | 155180 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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