Defending the Offense

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tony Simmons | U.S. Marine Cpl. Christopher W. Velez-Ruiz, a low altitude air defense gunner with 3rd platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, conducts a final assault on a target during an urban fire and maneuver range in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 18, 2015. Fire and maneuver ranges are constantly conducted to keep Security Forces vigilant and prepared for any security threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tony Simmons/Released)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

01.18.2015

Story by Cpl. Tony Simmons 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Marines with Bravo Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC), conducted an urban live-fire and maneuver range in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to maintain vigilance and readiness in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Jan. 18, 2015.

3rd LAAD specializes in providing a ground security force to provide Marine Attack Squadron 211 with defense and a safe area of operation.

“Bravo Battery’s mission is to protect all equipment, personnel and aircraft that are stationed on the flight-line in this area of operations (AO),” said 2nd Lt. Julian E. Jerzerick, the platoon commander for 3rd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd LAAD Battalion, SPMAGTF-CR-CC. “We keep track of all foot traffic and vehicle traffic on and off the flight-line.”

They conduct their mission through posting sentry duties, maintaining a quick reaction force and participating in ground-air integrated training.

To ensure the Marines know how to respond during threats, a training range was set up so squads had to maneuver through obstacles while communicating and providing cover fire.

“There are a lot of situations in our AO that could draw us into a short-range urban threat,” said Cpl. Michael C. Foley, an augment from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 with 3rd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd LAAD Battalion, Special Purpose MAGTF-CR-CC. “So [this range] is almost perfect for the skillset we would require to react [to] out here.”

The leadership set up the range with barriers and window obstacles at various distances to give their Marines a feel for crossing linear danger areas and firing while maneuvering past windows.

“We look at every day as a new one where anything could happen,” said Jerzerick. “We stand our sentries with 100% security, ensuring our job gets done, because if it doesn’t then VMA-211’s job is in jeopardy.”

• Date Taken: 01.18.2015
• Date Posted: 03.03.2015 10:26
• Story ID: 155784
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)