Photo By Sgt. Aaron Henson | U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 stationed at Marine Corps...... read more read more
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U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, completed exercise Eagle Wrath 2016 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Aug. 2, 2016.
The annual exercise focused on providing aviation-ground support to an assigned aviation combat element while reinforcing skills that Marines learned throughout their military occupational specialty schooling and Marine Combat Training.
Field radio operators, motor transportation operators, heavy equipment operators, combat engineers, water support technicians, expeditionary fire rescue, embarkation, bulk fuel specialists, and air base ground defense Marines worked together to accomplish the mission.
“The focus of the training was to allow each company to train, refine, remediate and hone their skills in an expeditionary environment in order to allow the squadron to support combat or humanitarian operations across the Pacific,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Wyble, MWSS-171 sergeant major.
Upon arrival, Marines started the first stage of training called the ‘personal and crew served weapon’ stage. Marines practiced the employment of M4A1 Carbines, M16A4 service rifles, M203 grenade launchers, AT-4 rocket launchers, M2 .50-caliber heavy-machine guns, M240 bravo light-machine guns, M249 squad automatic weapons, M67 hand grenades and MK19 grenade launchers. The Marines implemented some of these weapons while conducting table three rifle qualifications, a fire team exercise, squad patrolling practice, and machine gun familiarization training.
“It’s important that Marines learn these skills because if we ever go into a combat environment, Marines will know how to employ different weapon systems other than their M16A4 service rifles and M4A1 Carbines,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ryan Hill, a bulk fuels specialist with MWSS-171.
“We can put any Marine on an M2 .50-caliber heavy-machine gun, and they will know headspace and timing as well as how to load that weapon.”
Upon completion of the first stage, Marines moved into the ‘company training’ stage where each individual company focused their training on air base ground defense and how they will support MWSS-171 if they are forward deployed.
“The squadron deployed to CATC Camp Fuji to train individual and collective skills in aviation ground support and air base ground defense,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason Berg, MWSS-171 commanding officer. “We looked to develop greater proficiency in weapons employment, convoy operations, patrolling, and forward arming and refueling point operations.”
Combat engineers conducted a demolitions range, M18A1 Claymore mine training, Benelli M4 Super 90 shotgun breaching, and familiarization and practiced Military Operations in Urban Terrain, which focuses on improving the individual and collective combat skills of the Marines.
Headquarters and Service Company and Fuels Platoon honed in on their basic infantry skills exercising air base ground defense training including common skills like land navigation and patrolling.
Motor transportation Marines trained in mounted patrols and day-and-night convoy operations, while expeditionary fire rescue Marines traveled to Yokota Air Base and conducted integration training with the U.S. Air Force, where the Marines fine-tuned their skills while training with live fires, structural fires, vehicle extrication, search and rescue, and responded to aircraft and medical emergencies.
“We left the sergeants and corporals in charge to give the Marines the confidence they need if they are deployed,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Nigel Hinds, acting first sergeant, motor transportation company with MWSS-171. “I’m confident that any of my non-commissioned officers can accomplish any mission given to them.”
In addition, heavy equipment operators practiced table three rifle qualifications with M16A4 service rifles and M4A1 Carbines, conducted a machine-gun range, professional military education and land navigation.
“I have seen excellent collective skill improvement, but the important piece is the next step: sustaining this level of proficiency and maintaining our drive to always get better,” said Berg.
Finally, the Marines moved on to the culminating event. They established a mock air base that included a landing zone and refueling point, constructed defensive and machine-gun positions, and conducted convoys and patrols over the course of four days. Marines were then tasked with securing a landing zone and establishing security.
“The culminating event is a test of how the companies will be able to work together as one cohesive unit to secure an objective area, establish a forward arming and refueling point, maintain a secure perimeter and egress in a tactical fashion,” said Wyble. “Given the training observed over the past few weeks, I think the unit will do well and much has been learned throughout the event.”
To finish off the exercise, Marines conducted unit activities to build unit cohesion, relieve stress and give the Marines a sense of closing after a month in the field.
Marines conquered Mount Fuji with a 3,776 meter climb to the peak and later attended a squadron mess night where Marines were brought together and built unit camaraderie.
“Everyone had fun, and it was a time to bring Marines closer as brothers and sisters,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Bryant Farris, bulk fuels specialist with MWSS-171. “These events allowed us to kick-back and relax a little bit after working hard throughout the month.”
MWSS-171 received assistance throughout the exercise from Combat Logistics Company 36 from MCAS Iwakuni, the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, detached to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, United States Ship Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).
By conducting training such as this with realistic environments and circumstances, the Marines maintain high levels of readiness for whatever mission they may be tasked with.
“Spending time with our Marines and sailors in a field environment and seeing the incredible things they accomplished is by far the most enjoyable take-away from this exercise,” said Berg. “I have learned where we are as a squadron and where we need to go to continue on this path. I can say without a doubt that we have the right team of leaders at all levels to get us there.”
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2016 03:28 |
| Story ID: | 206019 |
| Location: | COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI, SHIZUOKA, JP |
| Web Views: | 296 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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