12th Marines execute arty training in Fuji

CAMP FUJI, JAPAN

11.03.2009

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FUJI, Japan — Elements of the 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force arrived, Oct. 28 and 29, and diligently began preparing for Artillery Relocation Training Exercise 09-03.

The exercise, which included more than 350 Marines and sailors from the 12th Marines, includes its Okinawa-based units; Headquarters Battery and 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, and the Hawaii-based Echo Battery, 2nd Bn., 12th Marines which is deployed to Okinawa under the recently reestablished Unit Deployment Program.

According to Col. Keil R. Gentry, commanding officer, 12th Marines, the exercise allows the regiment an opportunity to hone their skills in artillery command and control tactics, indirect and counter firing standards and to integrate fire support with a scheme of maneuver.

"Although this regiment has been training in North Fuji for many years, for most of the Marines and sailors [about 80 percent], this is their first trip to the Fuji area. We are all looking forward to the unique training challenges offered by the terrain and climate of North Fuji," Gentry said.

Prior to their deployment to mainland Japan and while here, the Marines and sailors have been meticulously preparing the weapons, vehicles and equipment needed for the exercise.

"With the regiment providing a third of the vehicles used during the exercise, motor transport Marines were kept busy," said Staff Sgt. Jacob Notley, motor transport chief for Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines and a Lorain, Ohio, native. "Before arriving here, we performed limited technical inspections and did preventive maintenance on 26 Humvees and seven-ton trucks. For some of us who are new to this unit, preparing the vehicles was a little challenging but for the most part it was easy."

Following logistical preparations, the key objective for the regiment is command and control during the live-fire portion of the exercise, which is scheduled for Nov. 2-11.

"The critical take away from this exercise is to have the regiment working together, mainly through communication, and validate the mission essential tasks to bring us fundamentally where we need to be as an artillery unit," said Capt. Patrick Spencer, operations officer for 3rd Bn., 12th Marines and lead planner for the exercise.

During the 10-day evolution, the training will encompass several phases that begin with battery level maneuvering and then graduate to battalion and regimental-size tactics, according to Spencer.

Meanwhile, battery commanders are confident that the phased training approach of a "crawl, walk, run" pace will help identify any problems they may encounter along the way.

"The phased approach to training is very important because the pace helps us refresh our skills and helps us identify processes we can improve on," said Capt. Todd Litvin, battery commander, Echo Battery. "It also allows us to build a solid foundation so we can reach more advanced levels."

In addition to honing artillery skills, the regiment is scheduled to fire crew-served weaponry to improve defensive maneuvers.

"While our primary focus is artillery, we need to have teams that are proficient in employing our crew-served weapons to defend our battery positions," added Litvin, a Pewaukee, Wis., native.

Historically, artillery training was conducted in Okinawa, Japan but was relocated to the mainland. This type of training has been held on various ranges throughout mainland Japan since 1997, according to Lt. Col. Sean Wester, commanding officer, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines.

According to the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji web site, www.fuji.usmc.mil/main/history.html, the Fuji Maneuver Area, which consists of the 12,000 acre North Fuji Maneuver Area and the 22,000 acre East Fuji Maneuver Area, is jointly used by US forces and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. The ground adjacent to Camp Fuji was used for training samurai warriors long before the Marines arrived. As far back as 1198 AD, the Kamakura Feudal Government trained more than 30,000 Samurai warriors on the same ground where Marines and other US forces train today.

Meanwhile, leaders from the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines are grateful for having the opportunity to conduct this type of training.

"Our battalion appreciates the opportunity afforded by the Government of Japan and the surrounding communities to contribute to this legacy and prepare for our mission," said Maj. Russell Buttram, executive officer, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines and an Albany, Ore. native.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2009
• Date Posted: 11.03.2009 22:27
• Story ID: 41047
• Location: CAMP FUJI, JP