Photo By Cpl. Joshua Brown | U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU),...... read more read more
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KUWAIT - The engineers engage the anti-personnel obstacle breaching system (APOBS) and make a break for it. They clear the 50-meter required safety distance with plenty of time to countdown and brace for the detonation. They begin counting down together from ten and within a split second of completing the countdown, the APOBS launches a small rocket led by a cord and glides to the surface via a built in parachute. It impacts and explodes, creating a large crater in the sand.
Combat engineers with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted a demolitions range in Kuwait, Feb. 24.
The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Kuwait Armed Forces are conducting PHIBLEX 16, a bilateral amphibious and ground exercise, to enhance operational readiness and improve interoperability between U.S. and regional partner forces.
“It’s always important to refresh your skills, because demo is a perishable skill set,” said Sgt. Alexander T. Mutch, a combat engineer and section leader with the battalion.
Capitalizing on the opportunity to keep their skills sharp with a variety of systems, the Marines detonated an array of explosives beginning with breaching systems and finishing with dynamite.
The MCLIC is utilized to clear a path through a minefield or an area heavy with explosives to create a workable path for Marines to traverse safely. Explosive Ordinance Disposal handled the situation after the engineers conducted the misfire course of action.
“The rest of the ordnance handled well and we were able to use that moment for more training,” said Mutch. “We moved on and the guys got to launch the APOBS.”
APOBS are used to clear a path in the same manner the MCLIC is used. They detonate surrounding ordnance and create a path, but boast greater mobility and only require a single user. The entire system is encased in a waterproof plastic container with straps, so it can be carried like a backpack and employed quickly.
“The APOBS training was really great, because a lot of engineers will never get to work with the system outside of the training rounds we use in our [military occupational specialty] school,” said Mutch. “The guys had a good time getting to work with something new and get familiarized with these kinds of explosives.”
They followed up with a string of electric and non-electric charges, detonating crater charges, 15-pound M2A4 cone-shaped charges, expedient charges and dynamite.
“We take already manufactured explosives and create a different kind of shot,” said Cpl. Patrick L. Wicker, a combat engineer with the battalion.
C4 was used as the building block for the charges used during the range.
“We utilized an ammo can, packed it with C4, and added shrapnel,” said Wicker. “This turns the charge into a grapeshot charge, so you’re using a charge for a new purpose.”
This type of construction introduces innovative thought to the way munitions can be utilized for a new purpose dependent on the mission at hand.
Assaultmen with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 26th MEU, also participated in the training and worked closely with the engineers.
“It’s a blast to get to work with all this equipment,” said Mutch. “A lot of guys will spend their entire enlistment without getting to experience these systems, so it makes it that much cooler that we get out and train.”
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2016 02:25 |
| Story ID: | 191335 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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