MWSD-31 prepares for Integrated Training Exercise

Photo By Sgt. Ashley Phillips | Sgt. Marcus Jackson works on the radio control center during a field training exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 29. The field training exercise was conducted in preparation for the 4th Marine Regiment’s Integrated Training exercise scheduled for five weeks in mid October through November. Jackson is the radio supervisor with Marine Wing Support Detachment 31.  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

09.09.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

“We are responsible for ensuring the units flying from MCAS Cherry Point, MCAS Yuma, and MCAS Beaufort have communication support,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Hogue, the communications chief with MWSD-31. “We will have our wiremen set up telephone wires, cyber network guys set up the computers, and radiomen to support communication."

The emphasis of this training exercise was mission readiness. By preforming their missions and tasks here in a controlled environment, the unit made sure that every member understands their role in the mission. The exercise was a small practice of what they will do on a much larger scale in the ITX.
“In the radio section we run long range high frequency radios and close range very high frequency radios,” said Jackson. “It’s important that we train here, get as much knowledge as possible before we get into real sit-
uations.”

The ITX is scheduled to run for five weeks during mid October through November. MWSD-31 communications will be providing communication for the aviation combat element throughout the ITX.

“The Integrated Training Exercise will have multi-ple units coming together to do joint training to prepare whatever missions we might see in the future,” said Hogue. “We could deploy at any time. With this we can
work out all the kinks before ITX.”

This year will be different for MWSD-31. They will be providing the same communication support with eleven Marines. That is about half the amount of people they have had in the past.

“This ITX will be new because typically a squadron has supported communication, but now we are a detachment,” said Hogue. “We will have half the manpower. Including myself we only have twenty one Marines. Only half of us will be going. It will be a challenge, a learning experience.”

The field training provided the knowledge and experience that will help the Marines provide the best communication support they can when they land in Twentynine Palms. They are scheduled to do more
field training this month to continue to prepare for the
integrated training exercise.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2016
• Date Posted: 09.12.2016 10:53
• Story ID: 209289
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US