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    CLB-6 engineers take Twentynine Palms to task

    CLB-6 engineers take Twentynine Palms to task: improve Integrated Training Exercise facilities

    Photo By Maj. John Parry | A door adorns the initials of the U.S. Marine Corps following its construction by...... read more read more

    TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

    05.22.2013

    Story by 2nd Lt. John Parry 

    II Marine Expeditionary Force   

    TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Hot meals, showers and nights on the town are a rare commodity for the Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 6’s engineer platoon based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

    Although their lifestyle conditions may not reflect the liberties a normal American can expect on a daily basis, they contribute to a unique and productive culture that has demonstrated its potency for completing missions, particularly in the shadow of their upcoming deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom.

    The platoon spent fourteen days in the field tasked with a series of construction projects meant to test their proficiency and to ultimately improve the training areas at Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 11 to 24.

    “We have these Marines here working nine-hour days in the hot desert heat, but they’ve been doing a great job hydrating and just consistently working,” said 2nd Lt. Ryan McGrail, engineer platoon commander and Baltimore, Md., native.

    McGrail added the Marines have completed multiple constructions projects in the area despite long days in the sun, where temperatures often rise to a heat index of more than 110 degrees.

    “We wake up at 0500 and get an hour for chow and hygiene,” said McGrail, describing their typical day. “We don’t have running water, but we do all we can for a regular shave. After that, we get started at 0600 – we try to get started as early as we can to beat the heat.”

    At every meal, the platoon’s leaders and workers would sit together to enjoy their feast – be it a cold Meal Ready to Eat or a hot meal brought in by heavily armored vehicles under guard. The Marines used the time to sing songs about each other, usually filled with friendly jabs or funny stories from their time together.

    When the meal hour passed, the Marines continued their mission and completed the construction they've been assigned.

    “Just our last training exercise, we were doing demolition operations,” McGrail added. “Now we’re doing the total opposite side of the spectrum, and we got to make sure these guys maintain their skillset building all these structures. So, that being said, this kind of training is extremely beneficial to the engineers here.”

    During its time in the field, the platoon finished two Southwest Asia huts, which servicemembers learned to build during Operation Iraqi Freedom, improved another, built two guard towers, demolished and reconstructed an older one, and improved a fourth by adding a door and shutters.

    “2004 – the first time I built a SWA hut,” said Gunnery Sgt. Walter Whitson, the unit platoon sergeant and Niota, Ill., native. “They used to be SEA huts from Southeast Asia, which had collapsible sides and open ventilation. But these have air-conditioning!”

    The platoon’s hard work paid off. The Marines finished a day early and rolled into Camp Wilson for a cold shower and a well-deserved day of rest.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.22.2013
    Date Posted: 05.24.2013 23:50
    Story ID: 107570
    Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US
    Hometown: BALTIMORE, MD, US
    Hometown: NIOTA, IL, US

    Web Views: 179
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN