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发表于 2010-4-12 20:57
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Dawn to dusk and then some; 1/6 takes part in day and night squad attacks Article by - Lance Cpl. James W. Clark
FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – Advancing through the densely packed tree line quickly and quietly, the Marine infantrymen stepped over rotting logs and pushed aside low hanging branches, apparently unaffected by the many pounds of cumbersome equipment they carried.
As the Marines of Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, navigated their way through the Squad Attack Course aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Va., Sept. 14, 2009, the popping of ‘enemy’ fire broke the otherwise quiet Virginia forest.
The firing spurred the Marines into action as their training kicked in and they surged forward by leaps and bounds, one group providing cover for another as they advanced. The Marines used trees for cover and the sweat poured off their faces, as much from physical exhaustion as from mental concentration, and voices quickly went harsh from shouting commands.
Immediate action drills for helicopter-borne raids at the squad, platoon and company levels are a mainstay of training in an infantry battalion, said Sgt. Brian Argintean, a squad leader with 1st Platoon.
“We’re fine tuning the skills we already have in preparation for [deployment],” Argintean explained. “Our primary focus right now is on counter-insurgency operations – meet and greets with locals, or a show of military presence.”
The exercise forced the Marines to push themselves as they performed several hours of practice drills before actually going through the attack course with live ammunition.
“I train my Marines to remember how easy they have it [during training], to push until they are exhausted and then keep going,” Argintean added. “They’re now at a level where I feel comfortable with my Marines and that they know what is expected of them.”
In addition to the physical toll the exercise took on the participants, the Marines needed to remain constantly aware of one another’s location and routinely communicate with other members of the squad.
“You have to know your job and everyone else’s. You need to know where they are going to be and where they are going,” said Pfc. Joshua J. Perrera, a M249 squad automatic weapon gunner with Company B’s 3rd Platoon. “It can get frustrating, trying to keep track of it all, but after a while you get into the right state mind when you’re downrange.”
The training at Fort A.P. Hill provided the battalion a rare opportunity to enhance their combat skills, having already completed all the stages of their pre-deployment training program, said 1st Lt. Anthony Piccioni, the commander of Company B’s Weapons Platoon.
“We’re getting to a point where it becomes second nature. They know where their platoon sergeants and team leaders are, and they just execute the mission,” Piccioni said. “We’re advancing beyond the basics and trying to make these skills intuitive.”
As the Marines finished the attacks their daytime attacks just as the sun began to set, and after a brief respite for hot food served on cardboard trays, they geared up again and moved out to tackle the course at night. They didn’t stop until 1:30 a.m., and after only a few hours of rest, got up to do it all again the next day.
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发表于 2010-4-9 21:41
