Koa Moana Marines Renovate PNGDF Firing Range

Photo By Lance Cpl. Ricardo Ramirez | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Israel Garcia, left, a native of Houston, and Lance Cpl. Jeremy Ferdinand, a native of Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago, both combat engineers with Task Force Koa Moana 23, assemble a stack of chicken wire into cubes during a range renovation project on Goldie River Training Camp, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 12, 2023. Task Force Koa Moana 23, composed of U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force, deployed to the Indo-Pacific to strengthen relationships with Pacific Island partners through bilateral and multilateral security cooperation and community engagements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ricardo Ramirez)  

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

09.22.2023

Story by Lance Cpl. Ricardo Ramirez 

1st Marine Logistics Group

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Task Force Koa Moana 23 completed a renovation project on a Papua New Guinea Defense Force firing range on Goldie River Training Camp, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 22, 2023.

Papua New Guinea is part of Task Force Koa Moana 23’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen relationships with Pacific Island partners through bilateral and multilateral training.

The renovation began in August and its completion was both a milestone and a challenge for the Marines and Sailors participating.

“Some areas were super rocky, other areas had pretty good dirt,” said Lance Cpl. Richard Carver, a native of Crocker, Missouri and a heavy equipment operator with the task force. “There were a few spots that were very vegetated, but for the most part, it was pretty clear before we began.”

To make the range functional, major installations were required to include a berm to stop the bullets and a pit area for the targets to be held.

“As heavy equipment operators, we set the foundation for the construction,” said Carver. “We dug up a pit and used the dirt to build the berm.”

The creation of the area that held the targets, also known as “the Pits” called for the construction of a Gabion Wall.

“A Gabion wall is basically a retaining wall, made from boxes of chain-linked fences filled with rocks," said Sgt. Israel Garcia, a native of Houston and combat engineer with the task force. "Its purpose is to hold up Earth and prevent it from sliding or moving from its place. This wall will be inside the pits, expanding the range capability for the PNGDF by increasing the amount of available targets, and the distance that weapons can fire from.”

With the completion of the project, the Papua New Guinea Defense Force will be equipped with the ability to further strengthen the marksmanship and readiness of their soldiers.

“The range renovation will further increase the target points available, making it run smoother and faster,” said Garcia. “Initially, they only had 10 target points, now it holds up to 20. This range project was incredible for our relationship building, not only with the soldiers, but also the locals around the area who lended a helping hand during our time here. Their support is always appreciated by the Marines."

The project took just under two months and was finished by the collaboration of Marine Corps combat engineers, heavy equipment operators, and local volunteers. The range project stands as one of several that have been completed by the Koa Moana Marines and Sailors on PNG and one of the multitude of projects that spanned different islands, nations and regions of the indo-pacific this summer.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2023
• Date Posted: 09.26.2023 23:12
• Story ID: 454274
• Location: PORT MORESBY, PG
• Hometown: CROCKER, MO, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US