Despite weather, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines clears Range 210

Photo By Pvt. Michael Gams | A Marine with Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, takes cover behind a pile of concrete as the company stormed Combat Center Range 210, Jan. 20. The battalion is slated to deploy to Afghanistan later this year.  

01.20.2010

Story by Pvt. Michael Gams 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — The Marines and sailors of Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment braved downpours and high winds Jan. 20 to take the enemy by force during the Clear, Hold, Build portion of their Enhanced Mojave Viper predeployment training at Combat Center Range 210.

The warriors, stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., loaded onto Amphibious Assault Vehicles from Co. D, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion after stormy weather conditions grounded the CH-53E Super Stallions originally supporting their assault.

After unloading the AAVs and setting up a support position using elements of Weapons Company, Co. C rushed into the town which dominates the range.

Each building in the town gave the Marines different challenges, including simulated enemy targets and weapons caches.

With the range swarming with Marines and sailors, each person knew their mission and worked with precision to clear the simulated town of insurgent resistance.

"We all knew what we were doing," said Lance Cpl. Randy Howenstern, a rifleman with Co. C and native of New Brunswick, Texas. "We did three dry runs, and the cool part of these ranges is seeing how, amidst the chaos, every Marine has their part.

"I looked around during the range, and I could see how if my squad didn't clear the next building, it would hurt the next squad. It helps us see the strategy and keeps us pushing toward our target — you don't want to let your fellow Marine down," he said.

After taking control of the town, the company dug in and set up a defensive perimeter around the town, preparing to defend against an imminent counter-offensive from the insurgents.

As the sun set over Range 210, the skies opened up, forcing training to a halt.

"We were scheduled to maintain defense overnight and interact with role players attempting to return to the town in the morning, but the rain flooded the roads and training had to be put on hold," said 1st Sgt. Daniel E. Mangrum, the company first sergeant for Co. C, 1st Bn., 2nd Marines.

While the weather may have temporarily put a damper on training for Co. C, they were able to get valuable training at Range 210. Upon the completion of their predeployment training in early February, they will return to Camp Lejeune to finish preparing for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 01.20.2010
• Date Posted: 01.27.2010 18:43
• Story ID: 44524