Marines conduct fording and vehicle recovery training

Photo By Pvt. Aaron Fiala | Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 attach a winch cable to the front of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, also known as a 7-ton, to pull the vehicle out of a sand pit aboard Camp Johnson, N.C., July 28, 2015. As part of their training, these Marines gained experience in recovering large military vehicles from a sand pit or other simulated terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

07.28.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Aaron Fiala 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 conducted fording and vehicle recovery training at the fording and dig pit aboard Camp Johnson, North Carolina, July 28, 2015. As part of their training, the Marines with the company drove a Humvee into a water pit to gain experience in maneuvering through water, as the water poured into the vehicle through the windows. Later, Marines also used a Logistics Vehicle Replacement System to pull a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, also known as a 7-ton, out from a sand trap.

Driving a Humvee into the water allowed the Marines inside the vehicle to experience maneuvering with water as deep as their chests.

“The training is something these Marines need to conduct because they never know what types of situations they might need to be prepared for,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony E. Caldwell, Motor Transportation Company first sergeant. “It’s a good chance to practice their job proficiencies.”

Each Marine was given the chance to drive the fully loaded Humvee into the water-filled trench and maneuver the vehicle out.

“The information we received today is critical to readiness and accomplishing our missions, said Lance Cpl. Brett Clay, a dispatcher with the company.

This training also involved trying to get a 7-ton unstuck from a sand pit. Driving this vehicle into the ground proved to be difficult because 7-tons were made to not get stuck, explained Clay.

Once the Marines were confident the vehicle was not going anywhere, they proceeded to recover the vehicle from the sand pit.

“All the Marines were actively engaged in trying to get the 7-ton out,” said Caldwell. “It didn’t take more than fifteen minutes of teamwork to assist the vehicle out from the sand’s grasp and back to a drivable condition.”

• Date Taken: 07.28.2015
• Date Posted: 07.31.2015 09:03
• Story ID: 171717
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US