Lejeune-based Marines take aim at close-quarters combat training

Photo By Lance Cpl. Daniel Todd | Two Marines participating in Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training at Combat Town Oct. 31 provide cover during close-quarters combat training.  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.30.2006

Story by Lance Cpl. Daniel Todd 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

by Pfc. Daniel R. Todd
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Artillery Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, are typically tasked with providing long-range fire support. But as the Global War on Terrorism continues to be waged room-to-room, the Marines are preparing for anything.

The Marines, with F Battery, 2nd Bn., 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., are in the last month of their unit deployment here and used the facilities at Combat Town to conduct Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training Oct. 30-31.

"Less artillery is being used (in operations overseas) now, so participating in this training helps to broaden the skill sets of our Marines and become a more flexible unit," said Capt. Arnaldo Colon, the commanding officer of F Battery.

To develop these skill sets, the Marines practiced missions they may encounter in an urban environment including taking over an enemy stronghold, manning an entry control point and capturing a "high-value target" for interrogation.

The Marines also incorporated simulation rounds, similar to paint pellets, and mock improvised explosive devices to add to the realism of the training.

"Without the (simulated) rounds I don't think that I would have realized how important this training really is," said Lance Cpl. Andrew Osburn-Davis, a field artillery cannoneer with F Battery and native of Nashville, Tenn. "Just seeing how many casualties we would have taken during some of the scenarios made me realize that we really need to have this training to survive."

The senior Marines in the unit acted as insurgents for many of the scenarios. After each event, they critiqued the junior Marines on what they could have done better. Many of the unit leaders were combat veterans and stressed that Marines of all ranks have to make crucial decisions on the battlefield.

This message appeared to resonate well as the artillerymen progressed through training. "At first the Marines were lost, suffered many casualties and were not able to complete their missions," said Cpl. James McMahon, a field artillery fire controlman with F Battery. "But in the last few scenarios we ran, the Marines didn't hesitate at all and did exactly what they needed to get the job done."

The artillery Marines now have a basic understanding of how to operate as a squad in close-quarters combat and a little experience in making quick decisions, said Colon.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2006
• Date Posted: 11.13.2006 14:36
• Story ID: 8255
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JP