1/3 C Co. raids the darkness

[thedrifter]

1/3 C Co. raids the darkness
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 200452233644
Story by Lance Cpl. Megan L. Stiner



KAHUKU TRAINING AREA, Hawaii(April 30, 2004) -- For some people, the simple state of darkness can make them nervous, even frightened. For others, fear is not an option. For them, darkness creates an image and provides an atmosphere that enables these artists the opportunity to develop a masterpiece -- or die trying.

Equipped with night vision goggles, weapons and their basic knowledge in the art of combat, Marines from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, added their own color to the canvas as they conducted a week of special operations training involving night helicopter raids, recently.

Thirty-four Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, integrated into Charlie Co., 1/3, in preparation for deployment to Okinawa, Japan, where they will be part of the ground combat element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, explained 2nd Lt. Travis J. Fuller, 3rd Platoon commander, Charlie Co., 1/3.

Corporal Nick A. Misiano, the 2nd Platoon squad leader, came to 1/3 from 3/3 one-and-a-half months ago and found that training with members of a new unit can be quite difficult.

"There are conflicting viewpoints among the Marines from both companies," Misiano explained. He added that, that has been the most difficult aspect in recent training maneuvers, though the viewpoints have become less controversial over time.

For one week, the Marines participated in exercises at the Kahuku Training Area and Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. Throughout the week's evolution, they conducted a daytime helicopter raid and three night helicopter raids.

"Although each day was repetitive, it enabled us to better assess which areas we needed more work on, and focus on those problems the following day and night," said Cpl. Steven Komin, machinegunner, Weapons Platoon squad leader.

The instruction Charlie Co. received during the week is part of the MEU Predeployment Training Program, which brought instructors from Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan, to train and critique Marines during the evolution.

"We recently received new infantry Marines into the company, which can make for a shaky week of training," said Komin. "For those Marines, this was their first time doing raids, so it was convenient to have the SOTG instructors there to help out."
After a day of field maneuvers, the Marines of Charlie Co. were anticipating their next move, attaching night vision goggles to their Kevlars and mentally preparing themselves.

As the sun set, three CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 picked up five sticks, or groups, of Marines from the Kahukus (in the combat scenario, Kahuku was a ship) and delivered them in two trips to Bellows. Once they all arrived, the action began.

The shadowed silhouettes streamed from each helicopter and headed towards their objective in a quick, yet continuously, stealth-like manner.
The first group to enter the building was 1st Platoon, which served as the security platoon. Its objective was to secure the building for the second sweep of Marines.

Second Platoon portrayed a support platoon. Once the area was secured, it entered the building and captured the objective.

The final wave consisted of Marines from 3rd Platoon who served as the assault platoon. Their task was to gather information and assist the injured from the building. The Navy corpsman that followed also helped extract the injured Marines.

Once the objective was taken and everyone was accounted for, Marines and Sailors quickly returned to the helicopters carrying the injured. The Sea Stallions returned to Kahuku.

According to Cpl. Steven M. Christiansen, 1st Platoon team leader, the most important concept they grasped during the exercises was the need to be "quick in and quick out." As the week progressed, he said that Charlie Company became a lot more efficient at its goal.

"The training that Charlie Company received in the past month has prepared them for the future coming together of the entire battalion for the MEU," Fuller added. "The next time Charlie Company performs training at Kahuku, it will be for an entire battalion field exercise. That exercise will be their final major training event in Hawaii."

"The more effective we [Charlie Company] become as a unit, the easier it will be to combine with the other companies for future training and deployment," said Christiansen. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to deploy as a battalion, and are working hard to be as prepared as possible."

"The training that Charlie Company received in the past month has prepared them for the future coming together of the entire battalion for the MEU," Fuller added. "The next time Charlie Company performs training at Kahukus, it will be for an entire battalion field exercise. That exercise will be their final major training event in Hawaii."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...9?opendocument




Lance Cpl. Elpidio Espinosa Jr., 3rd Platoon rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, simulates covering injured Marines during a night helicopter raid training exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Megan L. Stiner


Ellie

[thedrifter]

1/3 trains on amphibious assaults in AAV's
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 20045222554
Story by Lance Cpl. Michelle M. Dickson



MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, Hawaii(April 30, 2004) -- Amphibious assault vehicles manned by Lava Dogs from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, splashed into the waters here, April 22, as part of a training package in preparation for their deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

During the exercise, the Marines in the AAVs simulated an exit from the well deck of a ship. They demonstrated they could exit the vessel in a timely manner -- no matter that the AAVs were charging through rough waters. The Alpha Co. Marines kept their weapons inverted and their helmets atop bobbing heads, despite what came their way. The troop commander, the senior Marine who was in charge of the deployment, maintained control of the entire unit.

With AAVs holding just the number of Marines to execute specific missions, the Lava Dogs prepared for the amphibious landing on nearby beaches.

"Being in the AAVs can get someone very claustrophobic because there are no windows inside," said Sgt. Victor O'Neal, AAV section leader for Combat Assault Company. "The diesel fuel can get someone nauseous, and the Marines need to be able to handle those situations to react and perform the way they need to when arriving on the beach."

Once out in the water a good distance, the AAVs turned around and came onto shore. This entry gave the Lava Dogs the opportunity to experience firsthand what they might encounter during real-world missions with the 31st MEU. Marines also asked plenty of questions, so they would have fewer when the time comes to execute.

"For a lot of us, it's the first time being able to experience something like this," said Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith Fichter, a machinegun team leader for Weapons Platoon, Alpha Company. "So many of the Marines here are new to the fleet, but everyone seems to be catching on really fast."

"The most difficult part of this particular training would be leaving the track and keeping up security tactics," said O'Neil. "We are reviewing a lot of information with the Marines, though, so they should be able to handle it very well. They work together as a group, and that's what they need to do in order to be successful with an exercise like this."



Lava Dogs from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, prepare for their deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit by participating in amphibious assault vehicle training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, April 22. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Michelle M. Dickson

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...5?opendocument


Ellie