Photo By Sgt. Theodore Ritchie | Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment,...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Justin M. Martinez
FORT PICKETT, Va. -- The enemy stands on the defense, as a platoon of Marines waits in the wood line, prepared for the attack. Out from the trees, Marines explode to hasty fighting positions, dropping enemy targets with well-placed fire.
Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, maneuvered through the Infantry Platoon Battle Course in a combined-arms assault Jan. 13, aboard Fort Pickett, Va., a Virginia Army National Guard Maneuver Training Center.
"Each platoon will individually move down range under cover of machine-gun suppressive fire and indirect fire by our own internal mortar section," said 1st Sgt. David G. Eldridge, the Company's first sergeant and native of Dekalb, Miss. "We are also going to be supported by Sierra Battery and rotary wing close air support."
The aircraft support came in the form of UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Cobra helicopters from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), the Aviation Combat Element of the MEU.
The supporting artillery battery is an integral part of BLT 3/2 and is just one of the plus-ups that make the BLT different from a typical infantry battalion.
"When you're a part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit you never know what type of mission you're going to get tasked with," said Eldridge. "We need to be prepared for anything -- a jack of all trades."
Lima Marines battled freezing temperatures along with the green plastic enemy targets while they were training.
"Every one seems to be staying warm with their cold weather gear at Fort Pickett," said Cpl. Cameron J. Sformo, a team leader with second platoon. "We are all in the same boat, so we deal with the hardships together."
Ultimately, the Marines discovered that the best way to beat the deep-freeze was to pour themselves into the training.
"Shooting your weapon with live rounds will cheer up any Marine," said Cpl. Michael D. Chludzinski, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon. "It doesn't matter how cold it is, a Marine wants to shoot his weapon."
The 22nd MEU 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, VMM-263 (Rein); 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: | 01.13.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2009 01:03 |
| Story ID: | 29030 |
| Location: | FORT PICKETT, US |
| Web Views: | 408 |
| Downloads: | 209 |
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