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BOOM!: CLB-22 Conducts Urban Breaching Training

Courtesy Photo | Marines detonate an oval charge to breach a wall during urban breaching training at...... read more read more

CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

05.24.2017

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force

Marine engineers with Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 2nd Marine Logistics Group conducted an Urban Breaching training exercise at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 24, 2017 in preparation for an upcoming Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation.

Marines employed demolitions in an urban training environment to improve their confidence and proficiency in handling explosive devices.

“We don’t really do much of that training so this is definitely a plus to be out here today, to have the opportunity to do this training and keep the Marines proficient in their skills,” said GySgt. Juan Guillen, the engineer chief for CLB-22.

Throughout the training, Marines employed five different types of explosives that consist of an oval charge made for breaching walls, an Uli knot slider charge that is placed near the locking mechanism, a water charge for busting down doors, window charges for shattering and clearing windows and donut charges which are wrapped around a door knob.

“It’s a good chance for our combat engineers to get out here and essentially train to some training and readiness standards, it is something that is important for them to keep up to date on their MOS to keep those skills up,” said 1st Lt. John Horton, the engineer platoon commander for CLB-22. “We want to make sure it’s in their minds fresh as it can possibly be and they are getting trained as best as they can.”

Training not only improves the Marines’ proficiency and confidence in employing the explosives but it also improves unit cohesion.

“The Marines have to be confident not only in the demolitions they are employing but also confident with each other’s abilities to handle the explosives, so it definitely builds camaraderie and confidence with each other,” said Guillen.