Photo By Cpl. Mark Stroud | Lance Cpl. Joseph Dioro (left) and Cpl. John Reed (right) carry a simulated casualty...... read more read more
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MARINE AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Marines filtered out of the K-Span berthing into the crisp morning air and gathered into formations for morning accountability, marking the beginning of the first day of Enhanced Mojave Viper training for the Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 4.
The near featureless Mojave desert stretched out in front of them as far as the eye could see, marred only by foothills on the horizon and tactical vehicles carrying early-rising Marines to the various training areas in the sea of sand that surrounded Camp Wilson here Nov. 18.
This was not the Marine’s first morning in the desert, they had abundant time to acclimatize to the late-fall temperature swings of the Mojave, having arrived in three groups between Oct. 21 and Nov. 10.
The Marines and sailors of CLB-4, who fall under Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, spent those early days in the desert preparing for the coming training; ensuring that when EMV started every Marine in the battalion would be able to focus all of their energy and attention on preparing for their deployment to Afghanistan.
The battalion went from seven licensed mine resistant ambush protected vehicle drivers to more than 100 in the weeks leading up to the start of the exercise, according to Master Sgt. Jeffrey R. Martin, battalion truck master, CLB-4. The Marines drove in excess of 30,000 miles in pursuit of those licenses, he added.
This preparation was necessary to be able to transport the Marines to the various training areas around Camp Wilson and to reach the conditions necessary to accomplish the battalions deployed mission.
A week before the start of the exercise the battalion was offered a potent reminder of the importance of the preparation, when the battalion eschewed the traditional Marine Corps birthday ball in favor of a simple night-off to remember their heritage - trading the ball’s traditional dress blues for utility uniforms and a formal venue for the open night air of the Mojave.
The circumstances of their celebration highlighted the fact that the battalion was training for a leading role in the next chapter of the Marine Corps’ history, according to the Lt. Col. Adam L. Chalkley, battalion commander, CLB-4.
The Okinawa-based Marines of CLB-4 were joined in this endeavor by Marines from both Hawaii and Camp Lejeune.
“Our battalion has been sourced from Okinawa, Hawaii, and Camp Lejeune -based units,” said Chalkley. “Our early integration and training opportunities represent a substantial investment by the leadership of all three Marine Expeditionary Forces … and their commitment to ensure the success of our battalion and our mission while deployed to Afghanistan.”
The Marines had started preparing for their role supporting Operation Enduring Freedom months before, both on Okinawa and in the Republic of Korea during Korean Incremental Training Program 11-3, according to Capt. Victor V. Flores, Commanding Officer, Bravo Company, CLB-4. EMV offered a chance to build off of this training, he added.
As the final stage of the battalion’s deployment training, EMV offers the Marines a chance to evaluate their tactics, techniques and procedures before their deployment, according to Flores.
The training areas around Camp Wilson are well suited for units preparing to deploy to Afghanistan.
The rolling hills, the sand, the ravines and the brush are almost exactly like Afghanistan, according to Martin. The close resemblance of the terrain to Afghanistan benefits their training and gives the Marines a good idea of some of the challenges they will be facing in country, he added.
The abundance and variety of training areas in this environment allow units to fill their training schedule with productive exercises, according to Flores.
Marines known as coyotes will aid CLB-4 during the exercise by helping to evaluate the Marines in both core occupational specialty skills specific to each job field and the basic warfighting skills shared by every Marine, according to Flores.
The end of EMV will mark the culmination of months of training and give the battalion areas in need of improvement with the aid of the coyotes to correct deficiencies and leave CLB-4 positioned for success when they deploy.
“The Marines and sailors of this battalion have performed magnificently in the training events leading to this point. We have already overcome significant challenges in our force generation process and predeployment training schedule, having been affected by weather, strategic lift availability, and shortages of in-theater equipment at our home stations,” said Chalkley. “EMV is the culmination of our collective efforts and we are ready to train and eager to fulfill our mission.”
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2011 23:26 |
| Story ID: | 80307 |
| Location: | MARINE AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 299 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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