2nd CEB maintains readiness with battalion field exercise

Photo By Sgt. Gloria Lepko | A helicopter with Marines aboard takes off for a reconnaissance mission during a field training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 17-21, 2017. The field exercise prepares Marines for future deployments though events including engineer reconnaissance, helicopter operations, improvised explosive device lanes with route clearing courses, survivability tasks, breeching, and urban operations. The Marines are with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gloria Lepko)  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

09.21.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Gloria Lepko 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion practiced handling deployment scenarios during a battalion field exercise at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 17-22.
The engineers with 2nd CEB Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Company set up boundaries and constructed living arrangements in a field environment before beginning the series of training events. Each event allowed the Marines to gauge their strengths and weaknesses in relation to supporting infantry battalions.
“Generally as engineers, we operate very independently to the infantry battalions and regiments,” said 1st Lt. Joseph Bianca, a platoon commander with Alpha Company. “Coming out here and operating as a battalion is very valuable training for us because it shows our companies and battalion staff can train to the standards.”
The daily training exercises challenged the Marines to stay on alert and adapt to last-minute changes. The events included engineer reconnaissance, helicopter operations, improvised explosive device lanes with route clearing courses, survivability tasks, breeching, and urban operations.
During the exercise, a team of Marines called Red Cell were acting as the enemy and causing disruptions to normal routines. Using a notional opposition force provides a more realistic depiction of a deployed environment and highlights operational security measure that require improvement.
“We have a Red Cell out here that attack at night and during the day,” Bianca said. “Seeing the Marines come together and react to an enemy brings out leadership, esprit de corps, and fosters a great training and learning environment.”
By bringing the unit together in a deployment atmosphere, they can assess their mission readiness and unit cohesion.
“This is important because it shows what the Marines are capable of in the field,” said Sgt. Tyler Schartiger, Supply Admin Chief with 2nd CEB. “The exercise allows the Marines to get out of their normal jobs and allows the battalion commander to see we are ready to deploy if the opportunity arises.”

• Date Taken: 09.21.2017
• Date Posted: 09.22.2017 16:32
• Story ID: 249376
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US