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By Lance Cpl. Justin M. Martinez
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently attended a two-week-long helicopter raid training course.
Lima Company trained to conduct aviation-borne raids during the two-week course, solidifying operating procedures and giving the infantry company their first taste of planning and executing several complex missions.
During the first week of training, the Marines had classroom instruction, as well as practice runs through Camp Lejeune's Military Operations in Urban Terrain training facility.
In week two, the Marines brought a new asset with improved capabilities to the fight - the MV-22B Osprey.
The MV-22B Osprey, which will conduct its first MEU deployment with the 22nd MEU, has more space and longer range than the aircraft it's replacing, the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter.
Its tiltrotor design gives it the ability to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like and airplane, giving it greater speed than any helicopter.
"When you're dealing with raids you want to get in and out as quick as possible," said Pfc. Shannon L. Huddleston, a rifleman from Peoria, Ill., and the point man for the assault element. "The Osprey gives us that speed."
The BLT Marines and pilots from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) are learning together to complete the MEU's missions.
"This is a good opportunity for Lima Company to work with Osprey pilots," said 1st Lt. John C. Sheckells, Lima Company's executive officer from Friendship, Md. "This is the first time that the Osprey is deploying on a MEU. So, we're figuring out how we can use them to execute our missions."
While many of the Marines have trained for similar missions, some like Huddleston appreciated the realism of the training.
"You're a little nervous at first when you're the first man in the objective area," said Huddleston. "You never know what's around the corner, but that's why we train."
BLT 3/2 was supported by a mix of Marines including explosive ordnance disposal technicians and intelligence specialists.
"This training is beneficial because we get to work with the infantry Marines," said Cpl. Mark A. Phillipp, a 22-year-old team leader from 2nd Radio Battalion from Brunswick, Ohio. "This training allows us to build positive relationships with Marines we'll be working with in the future."
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and Sailors. Lead by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, BLT 3/2; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2008 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 26714 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 250 |
| Downloads: | 227 |
This work, 22nd MEU takes raid course to new heights, by Sgt Justin M. Martinez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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