Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Artillerymen reposition the barrel of a M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzer during a...... read more read more
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RODRIGUEZ LIVE-FIRE COMPLEX, Republic of Korea — “FIRE MISSION, FIRE MISSION, FIRE MISSION!” For Marine artillerymen, these shouts are embedded in their minds. When heard, they know it is time to begin the process of sending rounds down range as fast as possible.
On this particular day, Marines with Battery I, did not hear the familiar phrase “fire mission,” but instead the Marines began firing with a technique known as direct fire at the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex.
Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, employed five M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzers and direct-fired rounds from each Aug. 21 as part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-8.
The Marines are currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.
KMEP 13-8, a regularly scheduled, combined training exercise, enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK-U.S. Marine Corps forces. It sis comprised a series of continuous, combined training exercises designed to promote stability on the Korean Peninsula, enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities.
For artillerymen, direct fire is used when a target comes within 2000 meters of the battery’s position. It no longer relies on coordinates to plot and engage but on the accuracy of the artilleryman looking through the gun’s sights.
Direct fire relies heavily on the skill of the artilleryman. It is the responsibility of the section chief to identify the target, determine its location and the best ammunition to use, according to Staff Sgt. David R. Morgan, an artilleryman and battery gunnery sergeant for the battery. During direct fire, a gunner must manually adjust his sights to hit the target.
“Our mission is to provide fire support for the infantry, and in order for us to do that, we are usually a good distance away from our targets,” said Morgan. “In certain situations, targets can breach the battery’s location and this requires us to switch to direct fire. For my junior Marines, the chance to do this training in another country and in a different environment is incredible.”
Although the battery does not use direct fire in its everyday missions, in certain conditions, it would be necessary.
“It is commonly used in situations when dismounted infantry or tanks have breached within your sight,” said Cpl. Griffith D. Moore, an artilleryman with the battery. “Even though what we did was training, you could see that our guys were alert and moving fast. Even though it is something we don’t do very often, our guys were still spot on with the training, and I’m confident in their abilities to use direct fire.”
While the Marines with the battery were given the unique opportunity to shoot the direct-fire range, throughout the exercise they experienced other distinctive opportunities by interacting with Republic of Korea Marines, added Moore.
“It has been such a great experience having the opportunity to work with another military,” said Moore. “This was my first time working with another nation’s Marine Corps. This will be an experience I can tell people about for the rest of my life.”
Throughout the exercise, ROK-U.S. Marines have conducted live-fire training, helicopter operations, and will conduct military operations in urban terrain training as well as cultural exchanges and tours of the country.
KMEP 13-8 is carried out in the spirit of the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty signed between the U.S. and ROK on October 1, 1953. The exercise underlines the enduring alliance and friendship between the two nations and their combined commitment to the defense of the ROK and peace and security in the region.
| Date Taken: | 08.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2013 03:31 |
| Story ID: | 112635 |
| Location: | RODRIGUEZ LIVE-FIRE COMPLEX, 26, KR |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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