Marines hone artillery skills

Photo By Cpl. John Kennicutt | U.S. Marine artillery cannoneers with Romeo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct live-fire drills with M777A2 155 mm howitzers as part of Artillery Relocation Training Program 11-1 at the East Fuji Maneuver Area at Combined Area Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 21. The Marines of 3rd Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, are participating in ARTP 11-1 to maintain operational proficiency in support of the U.S.-Japan security alliance and regional stability. (Photo by Cpl. John T. Kennicut)  

CAMP FUJI, OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.01.2011

Story by Pfc. Daniel Valle 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FUJI, Japan - The acrid taste of bitter smoke fills the air from the ignited gunpowder. Ears ringing. Their skin is wet from the falling rain. Men move quickly, precisely. One Marine extracts the expended shell, as two others load the next. The fourth loads another bag of accelerant into the cannons.

The Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in live-fire training in the East Fuji Maneuver Area, Camp Fuji, Japan, with the M777A2 155 mm howitzers as part of the Artillery Relocation Training Program 11-1, which ended June 30. The training evolution was intended to sustain unit proficiency in all weapons systems used by artillery units and maintain combat readiness.

“We are here training to make sure the Marines are ready for combat at all times,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua B. Barber, a section chief, Kilo Battery, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines. “This training is very important for the Marines to hone their skills. Otherwise, they are not combat ready.”

First Sgt. Steven R. Ellison, battery first sergeant for Kilo Battery, said that his Marines are making the most of the training opportunities that the East Fuji Maneuver Area offers them.

“We are here to hone our skills as artillerymen,” said Ellison. “The Marines are enjoying the training.”

First Sgt. Lee D. Chartier, battery first sergeant for Romeo Battery, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, said that the Marines’ training schedule has been busy.

“The Marines are motivated to train,” said Chartier. “We were in Korea last month, and now we are here at the base of Mount Fuji.

“We are enjoying the weather, but still making sure that our mission is complete, as Marines always do,” said Chartier.

During field operations, the section chiefs make sure all their Marines conduct training safely and responsibly.

“We are having a lot of fun out here, but we don’t ever forget that we are here with a mission and that is to train,” said Barber.

Training in different locations throughout the Asia-Pacific region helps the Marines sustain combat readiness in varied climates and environments, according to Chartier.

“It is absolutely phenomenal to see these Marines at work,” said Chartier. “It can be raining like it was this morning, or freezing cold like it was in Korea; the Marines will still be motivated to train.”

“That is what separates us from any other branch of service,” said Chartier.

• Date Taken: 07.01.2011
• Date Posted: 06.30.2011 22:34
• Story ID: 73064
• Location: CAMP FUJI, OKINAWA, JP