Photo By Sgt. Sara Graham | Reserve Marines with 2/24 Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine...... read more read more
Subscribe
On a cold, brisk morning, a low fog settles on a quiet range in Indiana. As the sun rises, the fog slowly dissipates, and the static of radio chatter calling for fire breaks the predawn silence.
“Half load,” screams a Marine in acknowledgment of the call.
With grid positions calculated and radio checks done, the Marines load their rounds halfway into the 81 mm mortars. Seconds later, the rounds drop and explode upwards, pushing suppressive steel rain down range to disrupt the enemy.
Reserve Marines with 2/24 Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, participated in a fire support coordination exercise April 12-16, 2016, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The exercise allowed the Reserve unit to not only hone their skills and prepare for their upcoming annual training but also stressed team work and integration of their combined arms operations with a U.S. Army Reserve Assault Battalion and the U.S. Air Force.
“We are here for a combined arms live fire exercise,” said Capt. Jordan Overdorf, Weapons Company commander for 2/24. “We have weapons company shooting 81 mm mortars, we brought in air support, had scout snipers doing stalking and shooting qualifications, and the combined anti-armor team working on live fire and maneuver ranges.”
Combined Arms
In preparation for their annual training, 2/24 used multiple assets during the exercise, combining the functions of their forward observers, 81 mm mortar teams, snipers and a combined anti-armor team. Each ran ranges that focused on team work between different while also allowing Marines to work on individual skills.
According to Cpl. Karl Pulliam, a vehicle commander with Broken Arrow Anti-Tank Training Company, 4th Marine Division, the training on the CAAT range allowed the Marines to work closely with their parent company, an opportunity not normally available during a standard drill weekend. The training resulted in a more fluid and cohesive unit overall. It also allowed the shooters more time behind the trigger, the drivers more time behind the wheel, and commanders to become more proficient in issuing orders from truck to truck.
“As a Reserve Marine you aren’t living and breathing the Marine Corps 24/7,” said Pulliam. “So anytime you get actual hands on training with your weapons system, it helps your technical proficiency.”
Joint Training
Opportunities to run multiple ranges and train in a joint environment are important parts of overall readiness, and Reserve Marines must capitalize on them. A large focus was effective communication in conducting these missions with other branches of the military.
During the exercise, forward observers with 2/24 called in support from the pilots manning the A-10 Thunderbolt II, a low-altitude close air support aircraft provided by 163 Fighter Squadron, Air National Guard. In addition, 2/24’s sniper platoon also coordinated with Company B, 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment (8-229 AV), 11th Aviation Command (Theater), a U.S. Army Blackhawk crew, to enhance their skills in casualty evacuation exercises and insertion into enemy lines. To accomplish this, learning each other’s different ways of operating was an important part of completing the mission.
“I think it is important we are all on the same page, we are all learning to speak each other’s languages,” said Overdorf. “We all speak a little bit differently so we are learning to communicate and work with different agencies. I think it’s good Marines see a different side of things.”
The Reserve Marines worked hard during their training, they effectively worked with each other and with their sister services to build relationships and bonds that make the Reserve Force ready to respond to any contingency.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2016 21:15 |
| Story ID: | 196474 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY , IN, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 2/24 Brings Steel Rain, by Sgt Sara Graham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT