MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Marines with Detachment A, Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, Marine Wing Support Group 47, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, took part in convoy live fire training Thursday, July 21 at a range and proving ground near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
This live fire drill is part of training exercise Javelin Thrust 2011, which is one of the Marine Corps’ largest ever training exercises conducted in the United States and spans across three separate states.
Marines with the Company drove through mock Middle-Eastern villages set up by training staff at the range. The exercise tested Marines on their ability to conduct themselves while under attack from simulated insurgent weapons and improvised explosive devises.
“We went to the range today to train on moving drills and operate mobile crew-served weapons [weapons mounted on top of tactical vehicles],” said Lance Cpl. Jarrod N. Whoric, a 20-year-old mechanic from Johnstown, Penn. “This training provided us with convoy training and drills that mechanics don’t always get a chance to do.”
A convoy of three vehicles, including one Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (7-ton truck) and two High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) drove through the range early that morning.
Motor transportation Marines operated vehicles under normal operations until they approached the pseudo-hostile village set up by the training staff. Simulated improvised explosive devices made clouds of smoke and dust, and loud bangs, before motor transportation Marines began conducting Marine Corps combat drills.
Simulated human targets popped up from behind windows and doors in the village and AK-47 assault rifle fire was heard by Marines. These Marines began doing what Marines continually train to do, and returned fire and engaged the enemy.
“I think this training is great for the Marines and gives everyone hands-on training and experience,” said Lance Cpl. Josh M. Warren, a 25-year-old mechanic from Punxsutawney, Penn. “When you are deployed, you don’t know when you will have to be that guy who shoots your weapon.”
Warren has had prior experience on a combat deployment to Iraq, where he was a motor transportation operator supporting an infantry battalion. Live fire training conducted at ranges similar to this one, are an important part of training for combat environments for these operators and mechanics.
“It is important to have quick reaction time when you approach scenarios like this one,” said Warren.
Each Marine participating in the training scenario had a specific job to do, and those Marines in the gunner’s platform made use of crew-served weapons. Marines sitting in the back of the 7-ton truck also returned fire in the direction of the targets.
There were multiple scenarios and villages set up for the Marines to conduct training before completing the evolution. Motor transportation Marines honed in on vital combat skills and later convoyed back to their camp at a remote range in Yuma that day.