Photo By Sgt. Austin Long | “Part of what we’re doing, we’ll be evaluated on,” said Staff Sgt. Ty...... read more read more
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Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. – Marines with Headquarters and Support Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, conducted amphibious training off shore from Onslow Beach, April 9, with support from the USS Bataan (LHD-5).
The training qualified the ship to carry the amphibious assault vehicles, as well as allowing new Marines with the battalion to practice ship embark and disembarking.
“We’re doing an amphibious warfare certification today,” said Staff Sgt. Ty Appleton, an AAV section leader. “Navy personal have to qualify themselves to take on Marine air and amphibious forces as part of their work up before they can qualify to go on a (Marine Expeditionary Unit). So we’re out here assisting them.”
The Marines of 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, rode out to the ship on board the amphibious assault vehicles for a ship walk through and briefing.
“We’re (transporting) 2/6. So we’re hauling 150 (personnel) from the shore to the ship so they can get their familiarization tour,” said Appleton, from Grass Valley, Calif.
Although 2nd AA Bn. supported other units in completing their qualifications, the training qualified their unit as well.
“It’s pretty much all amphib training for us as amtrackers,” said Appleton. “Practicing our splash procedures, beaching procedures, boat lanes and so on.”
With amphibious in their name, water operations is nothing new to the Marines of 2nd AA Bn., but for some, it’s their first movement to a ship miles out from shore.
“Although the open water training was just a refresher, going on the ship was a first,” said Lance Cpl. Rosendol Salinas, an AAV crewman from Maywood, Calif. “I thought it was cool. Splashing is a lot of fun and seeing the amtrack go underwater and the inside of the ship was really cool.”
Even though it’s some of the Marines first time loading and unloading from a ship, they demonstrated their skills and ability to handle new situations which will allow them to progress to new training and upcoming deployments.
“The new guys on my track have done well. This is the first time for all of them on a ship and doing open water training is a good refresher,” said Cpl. Matthew Gunter, an AAV crew chief from Ferrum, Va. “This training also helps me know how what to plan for when boarding ships and lets me know how to coach them on procedures for boarding and un-boarding ships.”
Even though new Marines straight from the schoolhouse were on all the crews, the long trek out to ship and changing conditions of the open sea they faced did not deter them from accepting the training.
“So far this op has gone really smoothly, and I’d say that’s a result of our NCOs, section leaders, gunny and platoon commander taking their time to be involved,” said Appleton. “Young Marine doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing, it just means you gotta pay a little bit of extra attention to them.”
Although 2nd AA Bn. was helping the USS Bataan get qualified, they were also getting certified eligibility for upcoming deployments.
“Part of what we’re doing, we’ll be evaluated on,” said Appleton. “This will certify every Marine in our platoon on the entire amphib portion of our certification process, which is a huge step forward in being slated for a MEU or any kind of deployment. This is part of the work-up procedures and is all part of our annual training. Completing the certification, kinda puts that green flag up in the air that (says), ‘Hey our platoon can do this and has done this,’ and is a good step forward for us getting on a deployment.”
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2013 15:40 |
| Story ID: | 105111 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | GRASS VALLEY, CA, US |
| Hometown: | MAYWOOD, CA, US |
| Hometown: | ROCKY MOUNT, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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