3rd ANGLICO plays key role in exercise Maple Resolve 2017

Photo By Cpl. Gabrielle Quire | Lance Cpl. Benjamin N. Schultz, fire support Marine from 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, smiles after receiving a tour of one of the 2 Royal Canadian Regiment’s Light Armored Vehicles May 26, 2017, during exercise Maple Resolve 17. Exercise Maple Resolve is an annual 3-week multi-national simulated war hosted by the Canadian Army at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre at Camp Wainwright, Alberta, Canada. This year, 3rd ANGLICO is supporting the exercise by integrating two firepower control teams composed of a joint terminal attack controller, forward observers and field radio operators integrated with the Canadian Reconnaissance platoons, and heavy anti-tank missile system sections to provide terminal control of fires for both surface-to-surface as well as air-to-surface fires.  

WAINWRIGHT, ALBERTA, CANADA

05.31.2017

Story by Cpl. Gabrielle Quire 

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

Marines with 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve worked alongside Canadian Soldiers from 2 Royal Canadian Regiment, relaying information for close air support missions aboard the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, Camp Wainwright, Alberta, during Exercise Maple Resolve 2017 beginning May 14, 2017.
Exercise Maple Resolve is an annual, 3-week multinational simulated war, hosted by the Canadian Army bringing approximately 7,000 total NATO allies across the world to share and learn tactics while strengthening foreign military ties.
During the exercise, 3rd ANGLICO aided in planning and coordination and provided support for units within 2 RCR.
“Our mission is to provide fire support and coordination to units, mainly foreign, adjacent to the Marine Air Ground Task Force,” said Cpl. Daniel A. Reyes, a joint fires observer with 3rd ANGLICO.
During Maple Resolve, Marines with 3rd ANGLICO communicated with various aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force to provide essential support for units on the ground.
“We coordinated artillery, mortars and fires, and close air support from fixed and rotary wing aircraft and provided live intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance video downlink feeds from unmanned aircraft system assets allowing the ground commander to better identify associated risks in the tactical risk assessment,” said Capt. David Wi, joint terminal attack controller with 3rd ANGLICO.
The firepower control team is the smallest element within 3rd ANGLICO. Its primary function is to call for and adjust artillery fire and coordinate fires and close air support attacks using targeting information from an observer or other asset with real time targeting information.
“Two firepower control teams from 3rd ANGLICO were out in the field for six days in wet and cold weather environments, fully integrated with the maneuver elements of 2 Royal Canadian Regiment to provide terminal control of fires,” Wi said.
Participating in large scale exercises among foreign militaries and in realistic environments, like at Maple Resolve, ensures Marines maintain high levels of proficiency and readiness necessary for worldwide deployment.
“Training in exercises like these is important, said Wi. “It tests each military’s ability to perform missions in conjunction with one another and allows us to gain a better understanding of the other’s procedures as well as hone our own skills in preparation for real world events.”
The exercise has verified 3rd ANGLICO’s abilities and facilitated a stronger working relationship with Canadian forces.
“We got some good training, it was cold, wet and fun,” said Reyes. “Once we figured out each other’s tactics and procedures, I think both sides had a pretty good time.”

• Date Taken: 05.31.2017
• Date Posted: 05.31.2017 21:09
• Story ID: 235899
• Location: WAINWRIGHT, ALBERTA, CA