Assaultmen with 2/5 improve breaching abilities in Combat Town 25

Photo By Sgt. William Perkins | Lance Cpl. Adam Martinez, a TOW gunner with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, provides security after breaching a building during Urban Mobility Breaching training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 20, 2014. The training required the Marines to construct breaching charges to engage obstacles they may face in a combat environment.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

08.27.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. William Perkins 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, practiced Urban Mobility Breaching to improve their skill set while breaching target buildings in Combat Town 25 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., August 19-20, 2014. The training helped the Marines get comfortable breaching doors with a variety of explosives.

They conducted day and night breaches set in a simulated combat environment, giving the Marines an authentic look at operating within an urban environment.

“As assaultmen, it’s our main job to provide breaching for our company. We went there to practice charge construction, improve time on target and work with our breach teams to sharpen coordination skills,” said Cpl. Justin Sterr, an assaultman with the battalion.

Leading up to the range, the Marines spent several weeks practicing the physical and academic aspects of tactically employing the charges.

“Two weeks prior, the Marines began practicing the basics ranging from academic classes about the specific procedures to construct charges,” said 1st Lt. Kyle King, a platoon commander with Company E.

The Marines stressed properly forging the explosives to ensure the assualtmen were prepared to breach a door in a combat situation.

After constructing the necessary charges with detonation cord and tape, the Marines practiced in daylight and at night to make sure the live runs were safe and effective.

“They had to use different charges to defeat different parts of the door,” said Sterr. “Some of the charges were designed to defeat hinges while others were made to destroy the locking mechanisms.”

This was the first time most of the junior Marines touched any live ordnance since leaving the School of Infantry. The training helped those Marines get familiar with manipulating and controlling the explosives to complete the mission.

The intent is to ensure Marines can use experience gained while training to apply these skills in a combat environment, said Sterr.

The assaultmen involved in the training evolution made visible improvements from the first run to the last. They made their way around minor and major obstacles to operate in a more tactical and proficient manner.

“I think the Marines did outstanding in both the day and night runs,” said King. “From the first to the last breach, the level of experience and expertise gained in that time period is irreplaceable.”

• Date Taken: 08.27.2014
• Date Posted: 08.27.2014 19:27
• Story ID: 140566
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US