Marines prove deadly to enemy skies

[thedrifter]

Marines prove deadly to enemy skies
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20031015182251
Story by Sgt. Jason Gallentine



CAMP CHOLMAE, Republic of Korea(Oct. 13, 2003) -- Sgt. Richard Cline feels his Marines have more confidence in their skills as Stinger Missile gunners after firing live missiles at the sea range here.

Deployed to Camp Cholmae for Sea Strike, a joint live fire exercise with the United States Army and the Marines of 1st Stinger Battery, Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Each Marine had an opportunity to improve their Military Occupational Specialty skills by engaging targets with one of the 32 missiles allotted.

Using the Avenger Weapon System and the shoulder fired Man Portable Weapon System (ManPad), Marines targeted 32 remote control aircraft and let loose a barrage of fire, destroying 25 of the targets with additional technical kills.

According to Cline, gunner, 1st Stinger Battery, the training exercise was an excellent opportunity to train along side the Army and see how they operate.

"This was an outstanding evolution this year," the Cody, Wyo., native said. "The junior Marines came out here to get the job done and showed a lot of motivation. This is the smoothest fire exercise I've ever seen."

While firing the Avenger missile system, gunners took advantage of a rare opportunity to fire the Avenger while on the move. Firing 16 of their missiles in this manner, 1st Stinger Battery proved their equipment and themselves as a highly capable force.

According to Major Damon Fields, commanding officer, 1st Stinger Battery, conducting a fire on the move has never been attempted by the Marines of Okinawa, and may only be done once a year in the United States.

"The shoots in the states have never been as successful as it was at Camp Cholmae," the New York City native said. "It's fantastic because we proved the concept the vehicle was built around."

When not training with Stinger missiles, gunners also fired the M3P .50 caliber machine gun. Expending 3,000 rounds at fixed ground targets in the waters off of Camp Cholmae and the remote controlled aircraft, the Marines earned the highest scores senior Marines in their field has ever seen.

Providing the Marines with their necessary tri-annual qualification, the exercise also gave an opportunity for the Marines to re-familiarize themselves with the experience of firing a live Stinger missile.

Marines never forget what it is like to fire a missile. However there is a lot of difference between firing a simulator and the real thing. When firing a ManPad people can feel it in their shoulder, Cline said.

According to Lt. Mike Carlson, 1st platoon commander, this training conducted in Korea gave the unit an opportunity to fire live missiles, preparing them for real combat.

"We were the only unit that did shoots on the move and quick reaction drills," the Beaumont, Texas native, said. "We did this as realistic as we could. We practiced our job in as real of an environment as possible."

While waiting for the Army to finish their live fire exercises, the Marines and Sailors also took advantage of their down time by conducting Marine Corps Martial Arts training and life saving procedures, taking Marine Corps Common Skills tests and playing the occasional game of football.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...8?opendocument

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image...2003101673223/$file/SEASTRIKE-1low.jpg

Sgt. Phillip Wilden, gunner, 1st Stinger Battery, Marine Aircraft Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, fires a Stinger missile from the Man Portable weapon system as his assistant gunner, Sgt. Tom Wills directs his fire. Meanwhile, SSgt. Sandoval, range safety officer, shields his eyes from the back-blast caused by the missile.
Photo by: Sgt. Jason Gallentine



Sempers,

Roger