Locate, Close With, and Destroy the Enemy

Photo By Lance Cpl. Reine Whitaker | U.S. Marines with Company E, 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (V22), 2d Marine Division, perform rush tactics during a supported live-fire range at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, July 24, 2020. Marines with V22 are training in a simulated realistic setting and environment to improve combat effectiveness and readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Reine Whitaker)  

FORT A.P. HILL, VA, UNITED STATES

07.27.2020

Story by Lance Cpl. Reine Whitaker 

2nd Marine Division

Blazing sun, humidity, and the sounds of Marines training fill the mornings from July 8 until July 31, 2020 as Marines with 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (V22), 2d Marine Division (MARDIV) conduct a deployment for training (DFT) in preparation for combat to ensure the battalion’s combat effectiveness as the Forward Deployed Battalion in support of Major Combat Operations around the globe.
“The DFT allows the Marines to get out of their home station and away from some distractions,” said 1st Lt. Alec Barrowcliff, the executive officer with Company E. “It gives them the chance to focus on infantry related tasks preparing them for an extended deployment.”
The month long exercise started with an individual skills phase during a battle sight zero and grenade range, progressing into a squad phase consisting of unsupported-fire and supported-fire attacks, a land navigation phase that will move into unsupported-fire and supported-fire night attacks.
“Coming out to A.P. Hill, the Marines are learning a lot faster than they would in Camp Lejeune,” said Sgt. Anthony Olcott, a squad leader with Company E. “The training they are getting out here is more beneficial and realistic for them than buddy rushing for 20 meters outside their barracks.”
As the Marines conduct the DFT they are experiencing new and different terrain than what they are familiar with, Olcott said. A.P. Hill offers a different set of ranges the Marines have not seen before, giving them an opportunity to expand their combat mindset and creativity.
The DFT is a preparation for exercise Deep Water where the Marines with V22 will be air-inserted into Camp Lejeune conducting squad and platoon attacks, Barrowcliff said. “This will allow the Marines to get into the mindset of a large-scale assault.”

• Date Taken: 07.27.2020
• Date Posted: 07.27.2020 18:07
• Story ID: 374650
• Location: FORT A.P. HILL, VA, US