Photo By Sgt. Benjamin Crilly | Marines of 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, run to...... read more read more
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marines and sailors with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, used communication to successfully clear Range 401, as part of their Enhanced Mojave Viper pre-deployment training package, Jan. 29.
Range 401 includes three company objectives and is dynamic to support multi-echelon training for company and battalion assets. Marines are able maneuver under fire and reduce their sectors of fire to better simulate a combat environment during the exercise ran by Tactical Training Exercise Control Group.
Going into the assault, the Marines knew the harder they pushed on the range, the more obstacles TTECG would throw at them, forcing to react to the notional enemy. Marines are forced to make small-unit leader decisions that will affect other elements of Range 401.
“We are going to integrate all the weapons systems within my company and some weapons systems attached to me, showing the battalion’s firepower on a live-fire range,” said Capt. Michael J. Donaldson, the commanding officer of Alpha Company, 1/5. “The personnel running the range will paint scenarios, forcing commanders on all levels to make decisions and react to the enemy as he reacts to us.”
Donaldson, 29, from Pittsburgh, Pa., wanted the unit leaders to gain a greater understanding of the larger picture on Range 401. With that, they also needed to know the requirements and moving pieces that are involved in a company attack, so they can make the right decision as it relates to the rest of the company.
The company’s leadership was briefed on the plan and rehearsed the assault multiple times. Despite the meticulous planning, TTECG painted the range and created problems, forcing the company to deviate from their initial plan to accomplish the mission.
First platoon received heavy enemy fire during the first objective. This forced Donaldson to use 2nd Platoon to maneuver under 1st Platoon’s suppressive fires and clear the second company objective. This required the entire company to work hard to maintain affective communication on all levels.
“For a platoon commander, the most important and beneficial part of 401, and applying that to Afghanistan, is getting to know the platoons on your left and right flank,” said 2nd Lt. Robert W. Viehmeyer, the commander of 2nd Plt., Alpha Company, 1/5. “You are having to coordinate with the other platoons and do that cross talk.”
Viehmeyer, 23, from Sunrise, Fla., couldn’t let the communication stop there. He had to relay information and orders to the small-unit leaders within his platoon.
“I was thinking one step at time as the task to take trench two was passed down,” said Viehmeyer, a 2009 graduate of the Citadel. “I am extremely fortunate with the three squad leaders I have. I can give them my intent and they get it done as I would have myself.”
The biggest challenge for the squad leaders is maintaining that communication with other squad leaders, team leaders and the platoon commander amidst the fast moving parts and ever changing battle plan in combat, said Sgt. Chad D. Frokjer, a squad leader for 2nd Plt., Alpha Company, 1/5.
It is also beneficial for the Marines to practice using hand and arm signals to remain flexible and not become dependent on communication assets that could fail in country.
“When the main effort has a hardship, the company commander may dictate you to fill that void in the battle plan,” said Frokjer, 27, from Maplewood, Minn. “It is very easy for Marines to fill a gap in the attack using shoot, move and communicate effectively.”
Marines of Alpha Company practiced their communication to improvise, adapt and overcome on Range 401. The small-unit leaders saw that larger picture of how those skills will be employed in counterinsurgency operations on their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan this spring.
“With COIN operations you have a lot of control within in your squad and the platoon as a whole,” said Frokjer. “Even though kinetics and COIN are two different spectrums, Marines need to exercise disciplined communication to adapt and overcome any situation like they showed today on 401.”
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.08.2011 18:37 |
| Story ID: | 65039 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 279 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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