Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Cpl. William T. Hollenbeck, a field military police with Combat Logistics Battalion...... read more read more
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Once they arrived, they were greeted by their bleak surroundings. To the left, there was nothing but hills; to the right, even more hills than the left; behind them, a big empty space with no sign of civilization. At that point, they knew they were literally in the middle of nowhere.
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, traveled to Fort Hunter Liggett, July 27, to conduct training and to familiarize themselves with the heat, sweat and terrain of the battlefield they may face in Afghanistan.
An advance party was sent a day before the main party to create the site perimeter and establish communications.
"I came here on Sunday [July 26] and prepared the camp site for training before everyone else arrived," said Lance Cpl. Calvin W. McClain Jr., a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear defense specialist with CLB-15, CLR-17, 1st MLG.
The next day, the main party arrived. Everyone focused on getting the camp set up and everything running smoothly. The battalion was then divided into different units with each taking on certain responsibilities.
After the camp was completely set up, Marines had classes on different field and training exercises from senior Marines in the battalion.
"We got classes like preparing for convoy missions, urban patrolling and the Combat Marksmanship Program from the [military police]," said McClain, 19, from Houston.
They were also visited by Brigadier Gen. Charles L. Hudson, commanding general of 1st MLG, July 29. Hudson witnessed firsthand the type of training his Marines were doing.
Not to disappoint him, Marines of CLB-15 headed out to the range to conduct CMP training with a variety of weapons, such as the M-4 and M-16A4 rifles, M-240B and M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and the M-9 service pistol.
"It's my birthday," said Cpl. Jason M. Schaub, battalion training non-commissioned officer of CLB-15, CLR-17, 1st MLG, 22, from Chicago. "I get to shoot about four hundred rounds today with my M-4, and it didn't jam once."
To ensure safety on the range, Marines conducted a dry-fire exercise to familiarize themselves with their weapons before they stepped onto the firing line. The coaches were faced with the important task of ensuring nothing went wrong during the course of fire.
Everything they'd learned throughout the week was put to the test during the final field exercise, which lasted for 14 hours. They simulated different threat levels and provided security for the camp with sentries and internal guards. They were also tested on the use of night vision goggles while operating various weapons.
By the end, the Marines were sweating through their flak jackets. The heat caused two wildfires near the training site, but it didn't seem to bother them anymore. Once they had a chance to cool off, their uniforms had dried up like they just been starched and ironed. After the final exercise had ended, they began tearing down the camp, packing up and preparing to return home after a hot and sweaty week of training.
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2009 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 37373 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 411 |
| Downloads: | 156 |
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