Rolling out the big guns

Photo By Cpl. Jo Jones | Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters (Forward) practice disassembling and reassembling the M240G medium machine gun during the classroom portion of a machine gun familiarization course aboard Camp Lejeune, Nov. 20, 2008. The two-day course is designed to prepare non-infantry Marines for combat operations when the unit deploys to Iraq in 2009.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, IRAQ

05.30.2009

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Over the past several months, Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) have participated in a number of two-day machine gun familiarization courses as part of their predeployment training. This training taught them to operate the M249 squad automatic weapon, the M240G medium machine gun, and the M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

"This course allows sergeants and below to get hands-on experience with the machine guns and learn basic principles of machine gunnery," said Sgt. Daniel Ferguson, a training chief with II MEF Headquarters Group.

The first day involved classroom instruction during which the students learned basic nomenclature, weapons conditions, and assembly and disassembly of the machine guns. Instructors supervised the students as they practiced handling the weapons and loading and clearing dummy rounds.

"It's a different environment than Marine Combat Training," said Lance Cpl. Alex Rees, a fire support man with II MEF (Fwd). "It's more interactive and hands-on. We can get a better feel for the weapons and see them in action."

On the second day of the course, the Marines applied what they learned in the classroom on a live-fire range. Sgt. Marcus Cameron, a current fires watch chief with II MEF (Fwd), said the field experience was a valuable asset to the deploying Marines.

"In case we have to use these weapons, we know what to expect."

Rees went on to say the course not only fulfilled predeployment training requirements, but was also vital to the Marines' ability to survive in combat.

"Given the chance to go outside the wire, we can fall back on this training," said Rees. "It gives us a chance to develop muscle memory for the weapons and their capabilities."

While the Marine Corps has designated machine gunners, non-infantry Marines may find themselves in combat situations where they must operate these weapons. Ferguson stressed the importance of this training and its role in saving lives.

"Any Marine could find themselves behind the machine gun, whether on post or convoy," said Ferguson. "Therefore, they need to know how to properly employ the weapon if the situation deems necessary."

The machine gun familiarization is yet another tool II MEF (Fwd) has equipped its Marines with, preparing them for any situation they may encounter during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For more information on II MEF (Fwd), visit the unit's web site at http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd, and to learn about the ongoing mission in Iraq, go to http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil.

• Date Taken: 05.30.2009
• Date Posted: 05.30.2009 02:55
• Story ID: 34310
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, IQ