Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Rubin Tan | Clouds form into what looks like a jet in the sky above Camp Wilson, aboard Marine...... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The sound of freedom is heard throughout Camp Wilson aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., from dawn to dusk as Checkerboard pilots currently support training exercise Mojave Viper.
Participating ground units experience realistic combat simulations as they work together with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 and other units in preparation for future deployments.
“We are able to support the ground units by helping them integrate air support into their fire and maneuver schemes,” said Capt. Adam Gardner, the VMFA-312 aviation safety officer.
To authenticate the experience, the Marine Corps has built several military operation urban terrain towns in Twentynine Palms to resemble the traditional rural and urban environments service members see in Afghanistan.
As units push through the various terrains, pilots support with different types of ordnance during the various exercises.
The Checkerboard pilots also get the chance to visit many different ranges in Twentynine Palms where live ordnance is authorized for use; in Beaufort, authorized ordnance is limited due to the urban areas surrounding the
Air Station.
The types of ordnance pilots get the opportunity to use while in California are fire bombs, guided bomb units, joint direct attack munitions, M61 Vulcan, Mark 83 and M-K 82 bombs.
“The aspect I enjoy most about being a pilot is helping support the ground combat element from a distinct vantage point,” said Gardner a native of Palm Bay, Fla. “One of the stresses pilots face while supporting ground units is ensuring the effects of [their] weapons go to the appropriate places.”
Pilots also combat difficulty landing onto the airfield due to the matting. The traditional concrete or asphalt matting is not used, which makes braking while landing dangerous with the combination of high cross winds.
“Being out in Mojave Viper makes the Corps stronger because there is not many opportunities for a fixed-wing unit to work with ground units in a combined exercise before going into combat,” said Capt. Kyle Reilly, the scheduling officer for VMFA-312.
While in support of Mojave Viper, pilots practice many scenarios such as strike reinforcement missions, close-air support, low altitude tactics and search and rescue missions.
“The Marines who will return back to Beaufort will have the ability to explain to their peers what the fixed wing does as an air combat element in support of missions,” concluded Reilly, a native of Siouxfalls, S.D.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2011 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 77451 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Painting a bigger picture, by GySgt Rubin Tan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT