Brain and Backbone: New Environments, New Targets [Image 1 of 2]

GREECE

11.06.2023

Photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda 

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)     

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kate McCaskill, a Fire Direction and Control (FDC) Marine assigned to Sierra Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), poses for a photo aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 6, 2023.

Born out of Aiken, a small suburban town in South Carolina, as an FDC Marine, McCaskill is the only enlisted female artillery Marine deployed with Sierra Battery. The battery or platoon Fire Direction and Control is the control center, or ‘brains’, of the gunnery team. McCaskill's role aboard the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) involves mission processing for artillery, receiving calls for fire from a forward observer, ensuring the target is in range, and accurate hits on target.

Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda)

• Date Taken: 11.06.2023
• Date Posted: 12.29.2023 12:32
• Photo ID: 8184262
• VIRIN: 231106-M-AK118-1023
• Resolution: 4113x2892
• Size: 1.61 MB
• Location: GR
• Hometown: AIKEN, SC, US