Photo By Sgt. Tyler Vernaza | Cpl. Justin Little and Lance Cpl. Lars Miles conduct a live-fire shoot with the M249...... read more read more
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CAMP SCHWAB, Japan - Marines with Motor Transport Maintenance Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, conducted combat convoy scenarios and a mounted, live-fire exercise here during Exercise Roaring Lion Sept. 22-28 to maintain combat and operational readiness.
The squadron, part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, will use the tactics and techniques learned here during future operations and combat scenarios.
The Marines fired the M240B medium machine gun and the M249 squad automatic weapon from the mounted position on the mine resistant ambush protected all-terrain vehicle and the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle.
Shooting from an M-ATV or MRAP is much different than shooting from a bipod or static position, making it important for the Marines to familiarize themselves with providing suppressive fire from a vehicle.
“When we get deployed to combat, our main mission is to support the forward operating base,” said Capt. David M. Foti, company commander for Motor Transport Maintenance Company. “When we leave the FOB our mission is to provide security, conduct convoys and vehicle and aircraft recovery.”
During the week the Marines trained for complex scenarios, such as vehicle recovery and casualty evacuations, and were taught how to call for air support.
Motor Transport Maintenance Company not only supports the squadron but MWSG-17 and 1st MAW as well, making it important for the Marines to keep up on their training and maintain a heightened sense of readiness.
“This training is important because we could be deployed any day and be expected to maintain combat convoy proficiency,” said Cpl. Lynnjoey Terry, automotive maintenance technician with Motor Transport Maintenance Company. “All of the training we’re doing during this exercise pertains to what we do in combat.”
The training is made as realistic as possible by using the same vehicles and crew-served weapon systems they would use in theater.
“As a motor transport company, providing fire and support from our turrets is the most probable situation we would find ourselves in in a combat environment,” said Lance Cpl. Lauren Hall, automotive maintenance technician with the company.
Although the majority of Exercise Roaring Lion took place at Camp Schwab and in the Central Training Area, the Marines also trained at Camp Hansen on the Combat Convoy Simulator. There, the Marines were able to play out a variety of combat scenarios without the logistical burdens of operating in a field environment.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2011 23:00 |
| Story ID: | 77726 |
| Location: | CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 105 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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