3/12 Marines, sailors conduct live-fire artillery exercise on Fuji

Photo By Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarbrough | Cpl. Kedrin Clepper unloads artillery rounds during a live-fire artillery exercise at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, April 21. Clepper is an motor transport operator with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.  

05.08.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Bobby Yarbrough 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

Marines and Sailors from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, conducted an artillery live-fire exercise at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, April 15-22.

Approximately 250 Marines, consisting of a headquarters battery and a firing element of Marines detached from Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif., participated in an eight-day live-fire training exercise.

The exercise allowed the battalion to remain operationally ready by increasing each Marine's proficiency in artillery operations. During the exercise, the respective units concentrated on training and readiness standards specific to artillery battalions.

"This exercise was significant as it provided the battalion an opportunity to focus on critical aspects that must be met to remain operationally ready," said Maj. Walker M. Field, commanding officer, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines. "As artillerymen, this exercise allowed us to focus on training tasks associated with our core competency of delivering accurate and timely indirect fires."

During the training Marines fired the M-777A2 155mm Lightweight Howitzer, marking the first time that M-777s were deployed to the CATC.

"This exercise was the first time that the new M-777 howitzer was employed aboard Camp Fuji," said Col. Robert G. Golden, the Camp Fuji camp commander. "Camp Fuji is the only Marine Corps combined training facility in the Pacific and this was the first time in three years that Marine Corps artillery conducted live-fire training."

For Cpl. William Heisel, a howitzer section chief for 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, the training provided him and his Marines an opportunity to hone their skills.

"The exercise gave us an opportunity to perform as artillerymen," Heisel said. "It is essential for us to be able to work together. We were very successful as a battalion and were able to conduct accurate indirect fire missions."
Field agrees.

"Inclusive of this event, two live-fire artillery training exercises in five months have enabled the Marines to establish and sustain tactical competence in artillery skills," he said.

• Date Taken: 05.08.2009
• Date Posted: 05.07.2009 21:13
• Story ID: 33343