Photo By Master Sgt. Alicia Leaders | Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Lance Cpl. Alicia R. Giron
222nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Superior fire support often gives the edge in battle. Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit recently honed that edge to razor-like sharpness, harnessing the power of air and surface fires during a Fire Support Interoperability exercise, Oct. 14-17, 2008, a live-fire training evolution aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The four-day training focused on integrating the MEU and its supporting commands to ensure fire support is well coordinated and executed during pre-deployment training and throughout the deployment.
"Fire-Support assets organic to the MEU in the form of 81mm mortars, M777-A2 155mm Howitzers, AV-8B Harrier attack jets, UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters all participated in this exercise," said Maj. Peter J. Lang, the fire support officer for the 22nd MEU and native of Rochester, N.Y. "The exercise was important because it clarified our operating procedures between the different fire-support agencies of the MEU."
One scenario required the 81mm mortarmen from Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, to execute a primary mission - suppression of enemy air defense.
According to Pfc. Franklin L. Plummer, an 81mm mortarmen and native of Montreal, these missions help pave the way for friendly pilots to put ordnance on target.
The heat of the North Carolina sun didn't affect the focus of the mortarmen as they dug holes in the grainy, beach-like sand for their gun positions. When their positions were established, they heard the command to "fire" over the radio.
The mortarmen echoed the command with loud shouts and the thump of mortars filled the air as the projectiles rocketed skyward. As much as a minute later, the distant sound of explosions could be heard as the mortars hit their mark.
At an observation point far away from the gun positions, Pfc. Matthew D. Faust, a stern-faced leatherneck, peered through binoculars, giving him a closer look at impacts of the rounds. He relayed an adjusted distance and direction of the impacts to a radio operator so the mortarmen could zero in for another lethal volley on the target.
"The challenge of the job is judging the distance before they start firing," said Faust, a scout observer with India Company, BLT 3/2, and native of Clayton, N.Y.
Although planning and coordination were key elements of the FSIOP, it was the operators in the field who ensured the exercise ran smoothly.
"We all have different jobs, and we're attached to the MEU from different companies," said Faust. "Being out here in the field gives us the opportunity to work together in getting the job done."
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors. Commanded by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, BLT 3/2; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element.
The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training and is scheduled to deploy this spring. For more information about the 22nd MEU, visit the unit's website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2008 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 25348 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 185 |
This work, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit heightens skills during fire support training, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
