Photo By Sgt. Liah Smuin | A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, calls cease fire during an...... read more read more
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U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment arrived at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA, on July 10, 2018 to conduct Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 5-18.
ITX is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) integration exercise that allows units from different elements of a MAGTF to train together to maintain mission readiness and prepare for future deployments.
A MAGTF is a combined, scalable and self –contained unit made up of four elements: ground combat, aviation combat, logistics combat and command.
“The different elements of the MAGTF can get isolated while they are working on their respective bases or in their respective fields,” said Marine Capt. Matthew Mattson, K Company Commander, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. “ITX allows us to build crucial relationships with our brothers and sisters with the other elements of the MAGTF and come together and really hone our craft.”
During the nearly six-week exercise, 3/6 is scheduled to conduct various combat-related training missions to solidify procedures, hone ground combat skills and build confidence in the Marines and Sailors in an effort to increase the combat readiness of the battalion.
“This is as close to combat operations as we can get as far as training scenarios go,” said Gunnery Sgt. Mathew Black, I Company Gunnery Sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. “I hope that my Marines participating in ITX gain more confidence in their abilities and in each other’s abilities to fight, move and employ weapons systems in combat.”
Almost 850 Marines and Sailors from the battalion are projected to support ITX with numerous training missions conducted throughout the exercise.
“ITX is going to test the battalion in an extreme environment, thousands of miles from our home at 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune,” said Matson. “The ranges and the training out here at Twentynine Palms are the closest we can get to a combat deployment, without actually deploying.”
According to Black, the harsh weather conditions and the brutal training schedule will develop the mental conditioning for some of the younger Marines who don’t have much experience dealing with these conditions.
“The biggest takeaway from ITX is that we learn a lot about ourselves as a unit,” said Mattson. “I want my Marines to be able to look at who they are, and compare themselves to who they were yesterday and know that they are better prepared for war today.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2018 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 286162 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 391 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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