Globe February 7, 2013

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WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM

VOLUME 75, EDITION 6

The

GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944

Maint Maint. Bn Bn. embodies legendary character | 3A

BLT 3/2 Marines avoid ‘TRAP’| 4A THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2013

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Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Cpl. Brent Smith, a machine gunner with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, teaches Marines with 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Headquarters Group how to assemble and disassemble machine guns as part of their field exercise Jan. 29 aboard Camp Davis.

CAMP DAVIS, N.C.

LANCE CPL. SCOTT W. WHITING Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Cold weather and brisk wind chills slapped the faces of Marines as they battled the elements for approximately a week and a half, replicating a deployed environment for those who have yet to go overseas. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Headquarters Group conducted a field exercise at Camp Davis Jan. 22 through Feb. 1 to effectively gauge unit readiness. The 11-day field exercise consisted of the unit establishing communication networks with another group set up at Atlantic Airfield, approximately an hour past Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. “We wanted the entire battalion to operate from the field,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Delaney, commanding officer of 8th Communications Battalion. “We brought all the support functions out with us too. The (administration, logistics), supply and maintenance sections came out and

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Marines with 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Headquarters Group get a class on different machine gun weapon’s systems Jan. 29 as part of their 11-day field operation spanning from Jan. 22 through Feb. 1 aboard Camp Davis. operated here as we would back in Unit),” said Delaney. “We provide a joint task force enabler to the MEU, garrison.” The battalion prepared for the and we were able to do it here.” A joint task force enabler helps long stay, setting up numerous tents to berth the Marines and even con- a MEU by basically equipping the structing a mess hall to give them unit with strong satellites enhanca place to receive hot, prepared ing communication capabilities. meals. Delaney explained this is one of the The battalion was able to operate most important things his battalion effectively in a deployed environ- does while embarked with a MEU. ment, which was one of the unit’s In addition to the amount of jobmain goals while at Camp Davis. related training and scenarios 8th “We wanted to mimic what hap- Communications Battalion conpens with a (Marine Expeditionary ducted, they also utilized the time

for tactical training as well. “We conducted some basic skills training here, and we also established a (battalion aid station) to allow Marines to go through some medical training,” said Delaney. “We have a lot of Marines here new to the fleet, and we wanted to give them an opportunity to learn the basics like setting up tents and assuming a tactical (position).” The battalion threw different simulations at the Marines in order for them to adapt to the scenario. At one point, the camp raised the Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection threat level and was missionoriented protective-posture ready, which meant Marines had to keep their gas masks on their persons in case they needed it Delaney explained the battalion establishes communications in garrison quite often, but it isn’t often practiced in field situations. He wanted to ensure Marines knew how to conduct communications in a more strategic manner. “The battalion has not been to field since last January,” he said. “Since we have a large number of Marines who haven’t been in the

8th Engineer Support Battalion demolishes exercise

fleet very long, we wanted to come out here and see where everyone’s (proficiency level) is. We wanted to give the Marines a chance to practice what they learned at the schoolhouse. From the time I took over as the commanding officer last summer, we focused all our efforts on this exercise to effectively gauge the battalion’s readiness.” One of the last training events in store for the battalion was a machine gun class. Marines received a refresher about disassembling and assembling the weapons, as well as emergency corrective procedures in case of a weapon jam or other malfunction. Classes were taught on the M240B machine gun, MK19-3 40 mm machine gun and the .50 caliber machine gun. “We’re basically teaching them immediate action in case the weapon stops working and how to manage proper rates of fire for each weapon system,” said Cpl. Brent Smith, a machine gunner with 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “We’re showing how to properly take (the weapons) apart, inspect them and feed ammo to the machine guns.” SEE READINESS 7A

News Briefs

CPL. PAUL PETERSON

2nd Marine Logistics Group

The front door disintegrated into small, wooden shards and burning embers as the explosive charge ripped a hole in the building and showered the line of Marines with debris. Six combat engineers with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group poured into the building as another team shattered a window at the rear of the building during the unit’s demolition and breaching exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Jan. 18. The detonations were the result of a week of training and preparation completed at Engineer Training Area 3 where approximately 50 of the battalion’s Marines prepared for the unique challenges of urban assault. “It’s a little nerve wracking at first,” said Lance Cpl. Brandon T. Rowland, a combat engineer who participated in the training. “You’ll feel the wave, and it sends a shock through your whole body.” The structure of modern, city environments poses special challenges to combat engineers. Urban breaching techniques allow the troops to pass through doorways, walls and blocked passageways, which can restrict their movements on the battlefield. To defeat these challenges, the service members learned how to form into a tightly packed squad. They placed specially designed

Photo by Lance Cpl. Devin Nichols

A breaching team with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group destroys a door during the unit’s urban breaching and demolition exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Jan. 18. charges on their training facility’s doors and walls, punching holes in the structure for their assault teams to enter. “I’m gaining a lot of knowledge,” said Rowland. “I never did urban breaching before. I learned about making expedient charges, how to set up urban breaching charges, and where to put them.” The training prepared the Marines to create their own demolition charges with materials they might find in the field. They huddled behind protective shields only a few yards from the blasts. Clouds of fire and smoke lurched from the building as explosives tore through doors and shook

dust from their uniforms. “It teaches them how to safely and effectively utilize military demolitions,” said 2nd Lt. Cullen G. Tores, a platoon commander with the battalion. “A lot of Marines don’t get this until they get to (more advanced training courses). For the younger Marines, this is something to put them ahead of the game with their peers.” The Marines planted chains of demolitions in holes dug into the fresh mud and slid long tubes of explosives called Bangalore torpedoes beneath lines of barbed wire. Tentacles of severed wire and twisted metal flew through the SEE TRAINING 7A

Camp Lejeune hosts big game 1B

Midway’s magic shines 1C


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Globe February 7, 2013 by Military News - Issuu