Photo By Staff Sgt. Immanuel Johnson | Lance Cpl. Jamie Tenorio, a forward observer with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The forward observer sights in with his binoculars that can see farther than the naked eye waiting for the artillery round to hit. Shortly thereafter, another observer draws a detailed terrain sketch depicting where the round made contact. More artillery fire is yet to come; the operation has begun.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, participated in Exercise Rolling Thunder 2-15, a regimental size training evolution that involves utilizing digital systems as a means to conduct artillery training more effectively by locating targets with increased precision aboard Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Mar. 2-19th.
“Today, we are supporting Fox and Golf Battery, observing the [artillery] round’s initial point of impact,” said Lance Cpl. Jamie Tenorio, a forward observer with 2nd Bn., 10th Marines, and native of Salem, Oregon. “If the round did not hit the intended target, the observers analyze how close or far the round was off and in turn, we correct the situation.”
The purpose of Rolling Thunder is to exercise, assess, and improve the regiment’s ability to shoot, move and communicate in a field environment, while demonstrating to the supporting commanders the capabilities and effects the regiment provides to the division and Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations.
“The primary objective is to train in a different environment for roughly 2 weeks in a training area that allows us to roll through four unique phases; battery, battalion, regimental, and a division phase,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Grogan, a fire support officer with 2nd Bn., 10th Marines, and native of Acton, Massachusetts. “The objective for myself is to be familiarized with digital systems, in turn, allowing us to complete our mission more effectively.”
“This is my first experience participating in Rolling Thunder,” said Tenorio. “My main goal is to ensure that the rounds are hitting the targets every time. Not wasting rounds is extremely important.”
Forward observers are the foundation to any sort of mission, assisting their commanders and units alike, radioing where targets hit or miss.
“We are preparing for the worst at any given time and applying what we have learned in a combat situation,” Tenorio said. “I am in charge of formulating a terrain sketch, which allows the Marines I work with to see the terrain features and where the
rounds hit.”
The terrain sketch is an important element in the mission of any observer. At any given time the observer who first started the sketch might be called upon to assume another role in the mission meaning another observer will have to pick up where he left off completing the sketch, allowing for a smooth transition into the next sequence of artillery rounds.
“Artillery is difficult to shoot on Camp Lejeune, coming out to Fort Bragg gives the Marines the chance to utilize multiple impact areas,” said Grogan. “More exposure means for more effective training.”
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2015 09:05 |
| Story ID: | 157627 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Hometown: | ACTON, MA, US |
| Hometown: | SALEM, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Forward observers use tracking skills for Rolling Thunder, by SSgt Immanuel Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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