Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 sharpens marksmanship skills while deployed

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Poole | A Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 trains in a combat-simulated stress shoot at the small-arms range aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, July 10. The course was created to fatigue the Marines mentally and physically in order to simulate different combat situations.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

07.10.2009

Story by Cpl. Jennifer Poole 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Every recruit knows that Marines pride themselves on being proficient with their weapons systems. The Marines of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 recently kept their combat marksmanship skills sharp during a combat-simulated-stress shoot aboard Al Asad Air Base, July 10.

Approximately a dozen Marines from the Black Knights took part in the course, which was designed to cause mental and physical exhaustion in the marksmen, similar to what they would experience in a combat environment.

"I can't shoot at these Marines like Clint Eastwood did in 'Heartbreak Ridge,' so we're going to try to simulate the stressors of combat as best as we can," said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Sammartino, sergeant major of VMFA-314.

Going through the course, Marines still had to adhere to proper weapons handling and safety, even under physical and mental exhaustion.

As the range safety officer for the day's course of fire, Columbus, Mo., native Gunnery Sgt. Cory Jaco, logistics chief for VMFA-314, ensured that each Marine practiced safe weapons control and abided by all range rules.

"Safety is always paramount when you're dealing with a live [ammunition] range," said Jaco. "It's important that even through the training and this simulated environment that everyone is still paying attention to their surroundings and all range rules."

The squadron started the course two and a half months ago and approximately 40 Marines have completed it thus far. The squadron plans on having all their Marines complete the course by deployment's end.

Sammartino served with an infantry unit several years ago and came up with the idea for the course during one of their training evolutions.

"I don't like for Marines to just go out and just shoot their weapon. I like for it to be equally challenging and beneficial for them, and I think this course helps simulate at least the mental and physical exhaustion that could occur in a combat situation," explained Sammartino.

The course included a tire flip, 200-meter run, firing with a gas mask and movement while firing.

"Our goal was to give the Marines more proficiency with their weapons systems while under heightened stress," said Sammartino. "They're also getting the opportunity to utilize their weapons in a way where they wouldn't necessarily get to back in garrison."

Each Marine was timed as they maneuvered the course, and the times will be averaged for each section once every Marine in the squadron completes the course.

"We purposely made this event a competition, because everyone always pushes themselves a little bit harder when they know they're going up against other individuals," said Sammartino.

Throughout the course, most Marines experienced intense exhaustion followed by bursts of energy.

"This course is great and definitely simulates a more stressful environment than just shooting the normal course of fire during our annual rifle qualification," said Sgt. Michael B. Patterson, a Columbus, Ga., native and a maintenance administration Marine for VMFA-314. "Having to go through the physical course of running and then lifting the tire causes exhaustion before even going through the shooting portion, and that's the whole point of the course - having to fight through the mental and physical exhaustion."

The course is designed so the Marines have to use more physical energy at certain points, such as the tire flip, followed by more mentally demanding tasks, such as the firing portions.

"Going through the course, there are certain aspects where you need to slow down your speed and agility and this makes the Marines realize that combat is filled with emotion," said Sammartino. "It's an up and down rollercoaster of emotions, and just as fast as you start, you have to stop as well."

• Date Taken: 07.10.2009
• Date Posted: 07.21.2009 05:33
• Story ID: 36605
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ