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发表于 2010-4-19 22:44
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4th Recon Marines "Shakeout" Norwegian coast
HER MAJESTY’S SHIP OCEAN- Marines from 1st Platoon, Company E, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion got their first opportunity to get a feel for the local terrain, and a taste of how they will be operating for the next 11 days, during a brief landing along the Norwegian coast Feb. 20.
The Marines made their foray on shore from the HMS Ocean, a United Kingdom amphibious ship, in small boats called Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel.
After a 45 minute ride, the Marines reached the rocky shore and disembarked. Subfreezing temperatures and a steep, snow covered slope greeted the Marines as they moved inland to establish their forward reconnaissance operations center.
“The first thing we did after setting in security was establish comms back with the ship,” said Cpl. Luis A. Mercado, 27, a field radio operator with Co. E. “We connected on our first shot without any adjustments, which was surprising.”
As the platoon headquarters continued to set-up the ROC, the platoon’s two reconnaissance teams returned to the beach and practiced different procedures for disembarking the beached LCVP.
Once satisfied with their chosen method of quickly and tactically “hitting” the beach, the teams donned snowshoes and moved out in different directions.
“We wanted to work on terrain appreciation and get an idea of possible gear load-out for the future,” said Staff Sgt. Troy D. Barney, 30, team leader for the platoon’s Team 1.
After about two hours, the Marines made their way back to the shore to board the LCVP for their 45 minute trip back to the HMS Ocean.
The “shakeout” period provided the Marines with several new standard operating procedures and an idea of what to expect in the coming days.
“We have never used LCVP’s as an insertion craft before…usually we use helos or zodiacs,” said Barney. “But, the workups we did in Vermont were helpful because the terrain here is similar.”
In addition to weather and landscape, the Marines faced another variable, the size element they were operating with. Reconnaissance teams typically operate in small units.
“We haven’t worked in platoon strength in over a year,” said Barney.
The Marines from 4th Reconnaissance Battalion are in Norway participating in Cold Response 2010, a multinational military exercise focused on cold weather amphibious operations, interoperability of expeditionary forces, and special and conventional ground operations.
While in Norway, they, along with more than 150 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, are attached to the United Kingdom’s 45 Commando Battalion.
During Cold Response 2010, Marines will participate in tactical exercises at various unit levels, ultimately culminating in a bilateral, brigade-sized beach assault.
More than 14,000 personnel from 15 countries are scheduled to participate, including forces from The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Austria.
This exercise, previously known as Battle Griffin, will occur entirely north of the Arctic Circle and will emphasize individual and unit cold weather capabilities.
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发表于 2010-4-19 22:39
发表于 2010-4-19 22:42
