Artillery Relocation Training Program

JAPAN

11.09.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Cameron Parks 

3rd Marine Division     

CAMP FUJI, Japan – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division conducted essential, live-fire artillery training this month during the Artillery Relocation Training Program (ARTP) 18-3 exercise at Combined Arms Training Center, Fuji.
ARTP is a regularly scheduled, annual training event, which enhances the warfighting capabilities of U.S. Marine forces and supports the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan.
Marines conducted artillery live-fire, small arms weapons training and participated in a local cultural tour and a community cleanup event.
“The benefit behind ARTP 18-3 is it gives the battalion an opportunity to get out in the field and validate our training and equipment to ensure that we are ready in a moment’s notice to conduct fire support for our maneuver units around the world,” said Master Sgt. Jonathan Ginn a Field Artillery Operations Marine with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment.
During this training, Marines get a chance to work as a team, sharpen their warfighting skills and train in a rugged environment, according to Captain Andrew Horgan, Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment.
“This gives us a chance to prepare the Marines for any situation as a deployed force in Japan,” said Horgan “we get to reinforce our job skills for any situation, whether it be conflict or humanitarian aid. We want to be ready at all times.”
For some junior Marines this is their first exercise in the fleet Marine Corps.
“This is an eye opening experience for any junior Marine like myself, not only do you get to be in the combat mindset but you get to see the Marine Corps work as one to get the job done,” said Lance Cpl. Stevie Harrison, a motor vehicle operator with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.
The Japanese-funded exercise, which has been occurring for over two decades, provides Marines from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division the opportunity to conduct live-fire training in Japan.

• Date Taken: 11.09.2018
• Date Posted: 11.16.2018 00:25
• Story ID: 300043
• Location: JP