Photo Information

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to begin an assault on a simulated enemy base during movement to contact training aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9, 2015. Once the assault was completed, the Marines were required to prepare a defense in case of a counterattack.

Photo by Pfc. David Hersey

Marines train in amphibious assault

13 Apr 2015 | Pfc. David Hersey The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Amphibious assault and movement to contact training was conducted by Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, on Onslow Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9, 2015.

The Marines used ten Assault Amphibious Vehicles, operated by Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, to board the USS Wasp where they stayed overnight. The next morning, the Marines deployed from the ship to land on the beach before moving to the firing range where they would conduct the movement to contact portion of the training. 

“We wanted to test the command and control in some of the company level battle drills we have been training in,” said Capt. Alex Luedtke, the company commander of Company F, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines. “We set a series of objectives and the Marines met every one of them.”

Once the Marines arrived at the range they moved into cover and began to advance through the trees in order to reach the enemy, simulated by fellow members of the battalion. They were required to reach a target objective at the end of the range and after taking it over, secure their position for defense against a counterattack. 

For the Marines, the training served to provide hands-on experience to sharpen skills that may be necessary when the battalion is aboard a ship. 

“If we are ever in the scenario where we need to do an operation similar to this then the skills are a good asset to have,” said Cpl. Kyle N. Boeck, a machine gunner with Co F.

The training helped the Marines to grow closer as a more cohesive unit and managed to help the junior Marines to get more comfortable in their roles within the battalion, according to Boeck. 

“This is one of the first times we have been able to operate as a full unit after getting the new Marines,” said Boeck. “We’re trying to set building blocks for these guys to achieve more, maybe even [fill] a team leader spot. These new Marines need to show where they’re at within the unit and their individual positions whether it’s just as a rifleman or even stepping up and becoming the leader that the squad needs. We are going to have a lot of Marines leaving the Marine Corps and their spots need to be filled by somebody.” 

During the training, the Marines were observed in order to find areas where improvements could be made. Despite changes in plans affecting the timing of certain maneuvers, the Marines held together well and achieved the goals set before them.

“The Marines showed superb commitment today,” said Luedtke. “Marines are required to always be ready for the next step, whether that be moving from berthing to the hanger bay, to the deck, into the AAV’s, onto the shore and into the attack position. This day started very early and it took individual action to make sure they stayed ready.”