Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Michele Hunt | Sgt. Franco Loza, a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor, demonstrates...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Weapons training is continuous aboard Camp Pendleton. It’s normal to hear the sound of rifles popping off rounds or artillery causing loud explosions in the distance. From rifle ranges to grenade ranges to artillery ranges, Marines are always working to improve their war fighting skills.
Whether it’s the School of Infantry, annual rifle range training or an infantry unit preparing for an upcoming deployment, units are constantly in need of ammunition to support their mission. Marines with Ammunition Company, 1st Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group provide ammunition support to every unit aboard Camp Pendleton, including units from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
The company recently conducted a month-long field operation setting up a Fast Ammunition Supply Point. With only 120 Marines building from the ground up, the FASP was completed and self sustaining within three days.
“Within 72 hours the entire field operation was established and operational from the showers to the mess hall and all nine field storage units,” said Gunnery Sgt. Robert J. Gordon, the camp commandant for the FASP.
The nine storage units are split up by the type of ammunition contained inside, including small arms ammunition, ready-to-fire weapons and grenades. While the field operation is in effect, the garrison ammunition supply point is out of commission, requiring all requesting units to pick up their orders from the field. Marines supplied almost $4 million and 135,000 pounds of ammunition since arriving at the FASP.
The FASP has also provided the opportunity for ammunition technicians to participate in multiple training courses offered. The company has conducted multiple Marine Corps Martial Arts Program courses, land navigation, combat life saving courses, non-lethal weapons training, a dog-handlers class and patrol packages utilizing night-vision goggles.
“While we are out here we are supporting every unit on Camp Pendleton, but we are also conducting a very aggressive training evolution to prepare these Marines for the upcoming deployment,” said Gordon.
Some Marines advanced from a tan belt to a green belt during the month in the field because of the extra time offered by the field life.
“There’s more time to get more accomplished,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel D. Hayes, an ammunition technician with Ammunition Co., 1st Support Bn., CLR-15, 1st MLG. “There’s also more time to sit down and learn more about my job.”
Hayes, who has participated in the majority of the course offered during the field operation, said he feels more comfortable with his job after spending the dedicated time to mastering it. As one of 65 Marines in his company who will be deploying this spring, he said it’s important to be as prepared for his job as possible.
“Doing this job makes me feel like I actually make a difference in the Marine Corps by supplying grunts with the ammo they need to do their jobs,” said Hayes, 21 from Beaumont, Texas. “We haven’t had any problems we couldn’t fix quick, fast and in a hurry. I think a lot of that has to do with our leadership.”
Hayes also said he is looking forward to the deployment and is glad the field operation gave him an idea of what to expect. As an ammunition technician, Hayes said he realizes the importance of his job, especially where it really matters.
“It’s a great chance to get out of garrison,” said Hayes. “We benefit a lot of training here, but being deployed we can benefit those that are actually out there in theatre.”
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2011 17:57 |
| Story ID: | 73307 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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