Courtesy Photo | A Marine from 2nd Marine Division fires a MK-19 grenade launcher during the Advanced...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines from 2nd Marine Division participated in an Advanced Machine Gunners Course at range G-3 aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 30, 2015, in order to learn a new engagement method previously only employed by mortarmen.
During the course, the Marines shot the MK-19 grenade launcher from behind a berm at targets that were not visible to them. They had to depend on a forward observer to act as their eyes and relay information about the target’s location and distance.
“This training broadens our horizon,” said Sgt. Thomas Wright, a combat instructor. “Rather than being in line with the enemy, it affords the Marines cover while engaging a target.”
It was the job of the forward observer, placed at the gunner’s flank in a covered and concealed position, to call out a distance and position so that the Marines stationed behind the hill could accurately aim their weapons, Wright said.
“The forward observer would call out the information for the target to the fire control center, giving us a direction and distance, where they will be spinning plotting boards to convert that information into information for aiming the gun,” Wright said.
Wright explained that this training is unique in the aspect that this type of enemy engagement is normally only employed by mortarmen. By adapting to shoot this way with the MK-19, the Marines will be able to effectively engage targets no matter what the situation and environment call for. The Marines will be better equipped to keep themselves and their fellow Marines out of harm’s way.
Cpl. Jonathan Gillis, with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, felt that the training was a success.
“I feel confident in my abilities to adjust the elevation and deflection of the MK-19 to hit a target with this indirect fire method after participating in this course,” Gillis said.
Another major take-away for the Marines was to develop their leadership skills and instill in others what they have learned.
“Our main focus here is to train machine gun leaders, squad leaders and team leaders,” said Wright. “These leaders can now go back and train their younger Marines.”
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2015 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 162299 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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