3/12 Marines wields explosive new weapon system

Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | Marines of Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, use sighting poles to aim the M327 120 mm Expeditionary Fire Support System during a live-fire, March 28. The battery trained for four weeks on the new weapon system in preparation for an upcoming deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year. EFSS is the newest weapon added to the Marine Corps' artillery arsenal, creating a triad with the M777 155 mm Lightweight Howitzer and the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

03.28.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez 

1st Marine Division

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines of Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, attached to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment recently, concluded the first West Coast training with the M327 120mm Expeditionary Fire Support System with live-fire exercises at various ranges in preparation for a deployment with a Marine Expeditionary Unit this fall.

EFSS is the newest addition to the Marine Corps’ artillery arsenal, creating a triad with the M777 155mm Lightweight Howitzer and the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

“With the triple seven, we have medium range capabilities, and with the HIMARS we have long range capabilities,” said Staff Sgt. Javier J. Valdez, an artillery instructor from Fort Sill, Okla., in-charge of training Battery K on the EFSS. “This weapon gets us closer to the enemy.”

The weapon system can be hastily deployed and sustained for 72-hour combat operations utilizing the MV-22 Osprey. During these missions, Ospreys transport two lightweight Internally Transportable Vehicles which tow the weapon and ammunition trailer, giving Marines the speed they need without sacrificing intensity.

“With this system, Marines could quickly bring close range indirect fire, contact the enemy and get out within three days,” said Valdez, from Hayward, Calif.

Battery K has spent the past four weeks training with the EFSS. They qualified with the ITVs, learned maintenance and practiced deploying and egressing the weapons system.

“Operating it is the same basic concept as the triple seven (Howitzer),” said Lance Cpl. Tracy Strickland, a 20-year-old cannoneer with Battery K. “But it’s a lot easier and faster to employ and displace, and you can fire a lot faster than with the Howitzer.”

The battery is slated to be the first 1st Marine Division Battery to receive the EFSS, and will implement the weapon to their training regimen to prepare for an upcoming deployment.

“I’m excited to be on this new system,” said Strickland, from Indianapolis. “We learned how to clean the weapon, and if we can keep it clean, we can keep on firing.”

• Date Taken: 03.28.2011
• Date Posted: 04.04.2011 16:56
• Story ID: 68267
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US