Photo By Cpl. Dominique Osthoff | Lance Cpl. Luis Hernandez shoots a target at the Military Battle Challenge on Marine...... read more read more
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Technology is always growing and to keep up with the times, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune held the 2018 Marine South Military Expo at Goettge Field House April 11 and 12.
The expo is an opportunity for companies to gather to show their commerce and get new ideas from Marines.
“(The expo) is to bring the best technology and the best information to today’s Marines,” said Bruce Rakfeldt, National Vice Commandant for Mid-East Division Marine Corps League. “It’s where industry and innovation come together. It’s where the great ideas from retired or active duty Marines come to the industry and say ‘how do we improve and how do we become more battle ready? Or how do we protect our Marines by giving our corpsmen the tools needed so that we can come home safe?’” Industry combined with purpose as booths were setup containing new equipment and gear for Marines to see.
“If you take a look in- side the tent you’ll see everything from knives to small-scale technology and unmanned aerial systems,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Hedelund, II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general. “You’ll see improvements to combat equipment itself, whether it’s combat gear that you wear on top of the uniform or even the uniform itself. Something as simple as an effective set of gloves or socks that make the transition from peacetime to wartime quicker, safer and preserves our force.”
“There has to be a constant contact between the war-fighting Marine and the industry. When we go to war with a particular piece of gear an industry is close behind us ensuring us that we have what we need. Even after delivery, industry is an important part for us, in order to make sure our war fighting is effective and our enemies realize that they don’t have a chance.”
Having better technology than the enemy prepares Marines and Sailors to win battles.
“The bad guys are always going to have technology; we have got to be able to meet that technology, but we not only have to meet it, we have to exceed it so when we come back and bring the fight to them we never have to go back there again,” said Rakfeldt.
Next to the expo was the Military Battle Challenge.
“They tried to put everything into it, so you get a little of everything a military person might encounter in country or during training,” said Sgt. Jonathan Verity, a physical training instructor at the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. “It tries and encompasses everything you do in a shortened amount of time. Buddy dragging that you might encounter in combat, fast roping you might encounter coming out of a helicopter, walls you might have to go over in countries, low crawling, and moving heavy equipment.”
The expo, along with the Battle Challenge, was a success due in large part to the numbers of people who attended.
“I would just like to say thanks to the Marine Corps League and thanks to the industry departments who are here with us,” said Hedelund. “Having an opportunity to come by and see what’s available, but also their support in these events is very important. All the folks who came out to participate, to help put the displays together, etcetera. My thanks to you.”
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2018 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 274075 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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