Desert Fire Exercise: Combat Logistics Battalion 7 supports cannon cockers

Photo By Sgt. Whitney N. Frasier | Gun two from India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, fires a sequence of three rounds during desert fire exercise, May 1. The mission is called over the radio and each gun competes to shoot first. Speed and proficiency is important to the firing battery and they strive to be the first ones to respond. In-between their missions, they are resupplied by Combat Logistics Battalion 7, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group with the ammunition necessary for the howitzer crews to keep firing and complete their mission.  

TWENTY NINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

04.29.2009

Story by Sgt. Whitney N. Frasier 

1st Marine Logistics Group

TWENTY NINE PALMS, Calif. - Their bodies are sweaty from the heat. Their feet hurt and the noise never stops. They are not complaining, they just bite the dust and continue to work. Combat Logistics Battalion 7, 1st Marine Logistics Group keeps an open door policy when tasked with a mission: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When the 11th Marine Regiment trains, they train day and night. They don't get much sleep, or receive the comforts people take for granted. When something essential breaks during Desert Fire Exercise, how will it get fixed? The answer is CLB-7.

"We are running a 24-hour combat operations center at Support Company," said Master Sgt. Dean E. Weichert, section 3 chief, CLB-7. "In the event of additional rapid request beyond normal working hours, we will be able to provide that support," said Weichert, 39, York, Penn.

In between CLB-7 has a mission to accomplish, regardless of the lack of personnel. Currently, the majority of the battalion is deployed to Al Asad, Iraq. But that doesn't keep them from carrying out the task of supporting 11th Marine Regiment.

When more than 10 seven-ton trucks and two Howitzers failed in less than two weeks, the 11th Marine Regiment needed logistical support in a hurry. CLB-7 didn't hesitate to make it happen. The Marines aim for a turnaround time of less than 24 hours when possible.

"Combat Logistics Battalion 7 is doing an outstanding job," said Master Sgt. Liddle, motor transportation officer, Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. "They have a very good turnaround time, they just won't quit," said Liddle, 39, Indian River, Mich.

Mechanics aren't the only support they provide to 11th Marine Regiment. Necessities such as water, fuel and transportation of ammunition were also dispatched to them by convoys a few times a week.

"From my understanding they are working with a very small and newer crew," said 1st Lt. Mark M. Phelps, logistics officer, HQ Battery, 1st Bn., 11th Marines. "Each time they [resupply] us they are getting better and it goes smoother," said Phelps, 32, Naperville, Illinois.

It took approximately two weeks of planning and preparation to effectively support the Regiment's four battalions. While stressing the tactics of combat, CLB-7 Marines are participating in another portion of future deployment training. Their hard work and commitment to the mission is also assisting 11th Marines to train just as hard.

• Date Taken: 04.29.2009
• Date Posted: 05.04.2009 16:59
• Story ID: 33191
• Location: TWENTY NINE PALMS, CA, US