Photo By Matthew Callahan | Lance Cpl. Patrick Gonser (closest), an assistant Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose...... read more read more
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SOUTH KOREA - U.S. Marine assault men have long been considered by many in the infantry to be the “jack of all trades.” As the sun began to crest the mountains surrounding the valley below, the “Lava Dogs” of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment mustered to conduct live-fire rocket drills at Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex in the Republic of Korea April 11 in support of exercise Ssang Yong 2013.
Ssang Yong, meaning “Twin Dragons,” represents the U.S. and ROK forces and is intended to strengthen ROK-U.S. combat readiness and joint and combined interoperability through the conduct of joint and combined amphibious operations.
The employment of the 83mm Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) is a staple of the Marine infantry military occupational specialty 0351, which specializes in urban demolitions, breaching and anti-armor capabilities. The assault men from each of the battalion’s rifle companies came together to employ a salvo of rocket fires on a simulated enemy up-armored convoy to initiate an ambush with simulated friendly forces.
“We don’t get many opportunities to shoot our SMAWs,” said Cpl. Trey Jablonowski, assault section leader of weapons platoon, Company B, 1/3. “It’s a good time to bust the rust off our knowledge and tactics and get reacquainted with target acquisition and employment of our crew-served weapon.”
The individual assault sections from the various companies in the battalion set out on foot patrols, each section armed with 4 rockets, and moved to target the front and rear vehicles in a simulated enemy convoy. Employment of the crew-served weapons varied among the Marines’ teams from sequence fires to simultaneous volley fires on targets nestled roughly 250 meters away on a 55 degree upward slope.
“This was the first time we’ve shot so far uphill on a target,” said Lance Cpl. Patrick Gonser, an assistant SMAW gunner with weapons platoon, Company A. Gonser explained that with the different conditions and the time of the day, visibly identifying the targets proved a challenge in the setting sun. “We’re also usually firing on flat terrain or downhill.”
Before launching a rocket, SMAW gunners utilize a spotting rifle mounted on the side of the rocket tube that fires tracer rounds to “walk” on target with the help of their assistant gunners. The assistant SMAW gunner loads the SMAW’s rocket and tracer rounds and then clears the back blast, ensuring there are no personnel directly behind the line of fire.
When a rocket is fired from the recoilless weapon system, many other factors come into play. Marines prioritize safety, ensuring that everyone, whether in a combat or simulated environment, is online with the SMAW gunners.
After launch, overpressure, heat, and debris kick up in a 60 degree cone that extends up to 90 meters backward from the firing position. Any Marine present is authorized to act as a safety officer and may call an immediate “STOP!” to rocket fire if he or she sees there are personnel not abiding by the safety procedures.
“It’s a visceral experience,” said Gonser about firing and assistant gunning for the SMAW. “It feels like you’re getting hit in the chest initially, and then you’re overwhelmed by the overpressure and heat from the back blast,” all of which happens in a fraction of a second.
1/3 is attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2013 22:23 |
| Story ID: | 106585 |
| Location: | 26, KR |
| Web Views: | 425 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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