Light-armored recon shoots, moves, communicates

News: Light-armored recon shoots, moves, communicates

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

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Story by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada Follow This Journalist

Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a motorized training patrol here Jan. 27. The team serves as the ground combat element for the unit, which is currently providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

DJIBOUTI - A platoon of Marines mounted in and operating light-armored vehicles engaged training targets with small-arms weapons while at a range here Jan. 31.

Vehicle crewman and dismounted scouts worked together to assault through a fire-and-maneuver course, and crewman and vehicle commanders had a chance to locate and destroy targets with medium machine guns.

"Training enables our platoon to operate in sections and increase our cohesiveness and efficiency as a fighting team," said platoon sergeant Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Rea.

Each section practiced shooting, moving and communicating as a team, according to Lance Cpl. Jared Douglas, a rifleman with the platoon.

"Repetition is a good way to remain proficient," said Douglas, 19, who hails from Dilworth, Minn. "This way we can work out any problems we may have before we encounter a real life scenario."

Elements of the unit are currently deployed aboard USS Makin Island as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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