Photo By Lance Cpl. Shannon Kroening | Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment await the arrival of a MV-22 Osprey...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducted a live-fire quick reaction force training exercise with elements of Marine Special Forces June 28 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The QRF training served as the final certification for the unit’s upcoming deployment in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response – Africa.
“This exercise fosters compatibility between MARSOC forces and a ground combat unit, increasing familiarity in the case we need to conduct a joint mission,” said 1st Lt. Caleb James Rich, a platoon commander with Company E. "Exercising cooperation with another unit expands our knowledge and mutual capabilities."
Squads of Marines dropped into the exercise via MV-22B Osprey and provided security to suppress the simulated enemy and extract a Marine Special Forces team that was taking notional fire.
“The Marines were inserted in vicinity of a [special forces] team, and were expected to react to the situation,” said Staff Sgt. Armando Espinosa, a platoon sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. “We link up with [the special forces team] and essentially help eliminate or neutralize the adversary or and then extract out.”
Moving forward in buddy pairs, the Marines advanced on the enemy targets utilizing their service weapons and rockets.
“There’s always a little bit of [adrenaline] right before you go out,” said Cpl. Micah Salmon, an infantry squad leader. “The reaction drills keep us on our toes.”
QRF training is essential to unit readiness because it simulates situations that might occur during a deployment.
“This exercise prepares us to save Marines’ lives,” Salmon said. “That builds camaraderie between not only the guys in our units, but also with those outside of our unit.”
The unit is expected to deploy in support of SPMAGTF-CR-AF later this year. The task force provides contingency response and support to embassies across the areas of operations.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2016 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 202905 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 311 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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