Photo By Sgt. Marcos Alvarado | U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ricardo Espada, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan - A Cobra helicopter flying over the ocean quickly approaches a small deserted island. A group of eight highly skilled Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company are perched on a hill observing, measuring, and gathering targeting information as they radio the coordinates of two metal makeshift targets on the opposite side of the island to the aircraft flying above. Suddenly, the sound of machine gun fire fills the air as the Cobra begins to offload rounds and then banks into the distance. The coordination of these accurate fires from the air is done by a small group of highly trained and capable Marines. Cpl. Espada, a fire support Marine with 5th ANGLICO, is one of the exceptional among the few.
Espada’s family moved from Puerto Rico to the United States, where his father enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantry soldier. During Espada’s childhood, his father completed three tours in Afghanistan and was stationed in Korea as a machine gunner for two years. Eventually, when Espada graduated high school, he would follow his father’s example and serve in the armed forces. After talking to the Marine Corps recruiter, Espada chose to sign the fire direction and control specialist contract. However, after completing Marine Combat Training, he was designated as a 0861, fire support Marine.
“When I went to MCT, they gave me my MOS and it was 0861. I was actually really happy that the Marine Corps switched my MOS like that,” said Espada. “I would not have gotten the opportunities I did here at 5th ANGLICO otherwise, so I think it all played out to get what I wanted from the Marine Corps. 0861 is a hidden gem MOS.” Even though the fire support Marine MOS is small and not commonly known, 5th ANGLICO Marines designated to do this job hold a crucial role in the battlespace. They coordinate artillery, naval gunfire, and close air support in support of large-scale operations and maneuver elements.
“Whenever the infantry goes out, they need guys like us to watch their backs. The infantry has a background in calling in artillery and aircraft, but they are not experts. They have us as subject matter experts to facilitate proper support in planning and executing fires as well as teaching them how to do it,” Espada explained.
Espada’s time at 5th ANGLICO made him incredibly proficient at his role as a joint fire support Marine. On July 10, 2024, he was awarded an impact Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general for diligently executing a fires chief billet, which is traditionally filled by a staff sergeant.
“Since I was a lance corporal, I've taken up a fires chief billet, which is traditionally a staff sergeant billet, and I've been executing it without any issues. I put in a lot of our time and effort into facilitating how a fires chief should be able to support a team.” said Espada.
5th ANGLICO has also afforded Espada the opportunity to work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. After working with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, he found fulfillment in teaching foreign allies and partners his job. He plans to use his experience and skills to become a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) so he can keep teaching other militaries how to deconflict and coordinate fires.
“My main goal is trying to become a JTAC. Hopefully, I could get sent to an ANGLICO unit where I can keep helping foreign allies and partners because I found that mission set very fulfilling,” said the young corporal of Marines. I feel like it gives me a lot of purpose. It’s probably the greatest thing I have done.”
5th ANGLICO is a small company with less than 200 Marines under its banner, but among the many highly skilled Marines, Ricardo Espada stands out as exceptionally knowledgeable and proficient at his job. He has taken the responsibilities of a billet normally assigned two levels above his current rank and has helped teach many allies and partners how to coordinate and employ fires. His dedication, technical proficiency, and passion for teaching others has produced capable Marines under his leadership and has strengthened the bonds between the U.S. Marine Corps and critical allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Leaders like Cpl. Espada embody what it means to be a 5th ANGLICO Marine.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2024 02:40 |
| Story ID: | 478055 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Web Views: | 760 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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