Photo By Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos | U.S. Marine Pfc. Adam Gerald provides security during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard...... read more read more
Subscribe
BRIDGEPORT, Calif. – With orders in hand, company commanders with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment briefed their Marines on specific objectives and began planning during the final field training portion of Mountain Exercise 2014 here Sept. 7, 2014.
This culminating event will test the Marines on skills they have learned aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center over the past month.
“We have an important mission,” said Sgt. Joshua Germond, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3/1. “We have to take the ‘Dog Bone’ and provide over-watch security so India Company, who is the main effort, can reach [its] objective.”
A mountain that peaks at nine thousand feet, with loose soil and massive boulders, “taking the ‘Dog Bone’” is a task easier said than done.
Twenty-four hours before heading to their first objective, Germond and his platoon commander continued to strategize a scheme of maneuver, and rehearsed their movement with the platoon.
“We’ll be inserting into [landing zone Owl] using [MV-22 Ospreys] and make our way to the tree line and set up security for the rest of our company,” said Germond, 24, from Knappa, Oregon. “Once we have everyone we’ll set up a defensive position, while 2nd Platoon and the engineers clear a lane for our assault on ‘Dog Bone.’”
Geared up and ready to go, Marines loaded into the Ospreys and departed for their first objective.
“Thirty seconds,” yelled the crew chief over the sounds of the blades cutting through the air. Marines unbuckled, gathered their packs and prepared for a hasty off-load.
With dust and debris in the air from the Osprey, Marines with 1st Platoon disembarked and provided 360 degrees of security while Marines made their way into the tree line.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” said Lance Cpl. Jonathan Ladowski, an infantry rifleman with 1st Platoon, Lima Company. “You get excited and pump yourself up. Once that ramp goes down, you know it’s go-time.”
Once all Marines were accounted for, they began their climb up to where they would set up their defense and wait for lanes to be cleared by 2nd Platoon.
Weighed down by flak jackets, helmets, weapons, ammunition, food, water and essential gear they would need throughout the exercise, Marines painstakingly made the climb and reached their destination.
“Not the hardest thing we’ve done, but it definitely wasn’t fun,” said Ladowksi, 20, from St. John, Ind. “With every step upward, we would slide down half a step. You push through it and eventually it’s over.”
While 2nd Platoon continued with the engineers to clear the lanes for the next day’s assault, Marines were strategically placed in defensive positions, and began sketching their fire plans.
“We don’t take chances,” said Lance Cpl. Jacob Pedraza, a team leader with 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3/1. “We make sure any blind spots are covered, and we’re ready for anything that might come. These guys have an important job tomorrow and they probably won’t get much sleep tonight; but I know they’re going to kick some ass tomorrow. They’re hungry for it.”
As temperatures began to drop to the low '40s, the Marines were unaffected, as they focused on their tasks.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2014 18:17 |
| Story ID: | 141872 |
| Location: | BRIDGEPORT, CA, US |
| Hometown: | DALLAS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FILLMORE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | HANFORD, CA, US |
| Hometown: | KERMAN, CA, US |
| Hometown: | KINGWOOD, WV, US |
| Hometown: | KNAPPA, OR, US |
| Hometown: | SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US |
| Hometown: | SHIRLEY, NY, US |
| Hometown: | ST. JOHN, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 214 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Thundering Third kicks off final Mountain Exercise, by Sgt Emmanuel Ramos, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT