Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Bragg | Four Marines with second platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - The air was filled with smoke and the grass was covered with brass as second platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, conducted a weapons training package at the Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility, March 3 and March 4, 2014.
Based in Okinawa, Japan, 3rd Recon Bn. typically conducts training on Oahu, Hawaii, as part of Exercise Sandfisher, an annual amphibious training exercise that focuses on bilateral training with the Singapore Army. However, the Singapore Army could not participate in the training this year, which left plenty of time for 3rd Recon Bn. to work on training more suited for its purposes.
Earlier in Exercise Sandfisher, the battalion conducted a weapons package that focused primarily on weapons handling and marksmanship skills with their rifles. This time they focused on immediate action scenarios and being knowledgeable with different weapon systems.
The Recon Marines donned their combat gear and improved load bearing equipment packs as they patrolled through specific routes on the range until making contact with the “enemy.” Laying suppressive fire, the individual squads buddy rushed from different positions before consolidating at a final point.
“During an immediate action drill, they’re expected to incorporate special movements while returning accurate fire and break that contact effectively,” said Capt. Carlos Rincon, platoon commander for second platoon, Bravo Co., 3rd Recon Bn., 3rd MARDIV. “In these types of situations where they’re forced to react, they learn to communicate with each other more quickly and efficiently.”
During the same afternoon, the Recon Marines fired the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System and M107 .50 Caliber Special Application Scoped Rifle down range as a sniper worked on his own to become efficient with his own weapon.
The following day 3rd Recon Bn. unloaded several weapon systems capable of delivering heavy fi repower to the enemy. The different systems included M2 Browning .50 Caliber heavy machine guns, MK-19 automatic grenade launchers and M136 AT-4 rocket launchers.
“This time we focused on being able to employ a wider array of weapons, because our guys get sent into places where they would utilize these systems,” Rincon explained. “In the past when we went to Iraq and Afghanistan, our guys were expected to be proficient with these weapons, so it’s important we don’t lose those skill sets.”
Second platoon, Bravo Co. progressed through three separate ranges where they fired each of the weapon systems. From the farthest range, the Recon Marines employed the M2 Brownings, and then they advanced to a range closer to their targets and fired the MK-19 weapon systems. Lastly, they advanced positions again to fire the AT-4 rocket launchers while providing suppressive fire with the M2 Brownings.
“Reconnaissance Marines are expected to be the jack of all trades,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Kircher, platoon sergeant for second platoon, Bravo Co., 3rd Recon Bn., 3rd MARDIV. “The guys took what they learned from the previous weapons package and applied it during the IA drills where we got everyone shooting, moving and communicating. We took all that and combined it with heavy firepower.”
On the firing line, the two team leaders picked a Marine from each squad to break off and flank the target with AT-4 rocket launchers. While the M2 Brownings suppressed fire, the two Marines prepped their rocket launchers before advancing to a more stable position.
After sighting in on their targets, the Marines yelled “Rocket!” before pulling the trigger. With hardly any recoil, the weapon creates a back blast of 60 meters while the rocket itself causes a devastating impact.
The last four rockets were fired simultaneously at the targets to end the day with a final bang.
“When we came out here originally, we didn’t have the bilateral training to look forward to like we were expecting, but that gave us the opportunity to expand our training,” Kircher explained. “I can feel confident knowing my guys can handle any mission they’re assigned."
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2014 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 121691 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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