COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI, Japan – U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Patrick Gardner, a native of St. Peters, Missouri and a joint terminal attack controller with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division shares his story on conducting simulated close air support (CAS) training on CATC Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 3, 2020. The CAS training provided an opportunity for Marines to increase their proficiency and lethality with close air support coordination while operating in a field environment.
“This exercise is extremely important, especially in a foreign nation,” said Gardner. “It builds trust between our governments knowing we can go out here and execute our training.”
Gardner is a 2016 graduate of Duchesne High School in Saint Charles, Missouri.
CATC Camp Fuji is a Marine Corps Installations Pacific facility dedicated to modernized live, virtual, and constructive combined arms training. CATC Camp Fuji provides premier support for the accomplishment of air, ground, and amphibious training for the Marine Corps, joint U.S. forces, and our allies.