MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina -- Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division conducted a gunnery qualification on the 25 mm Bushmaster chain gun on training range SR-10 aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 27 through May 3.
The Marines working toward their qualification started on table three and ended on table six. Each table is a different course of fire that they must complete in order to maintain readiness and standards with the weapon system.
“Today we’re conducting table five, which is the pre-qualification, and during the course of fire, Marines have to pass seven out of the nine engagements,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph Foraker, a company master gunner within the battalion, and a Wickenburg, Arizona native. “The purpose of this training is to ensure the crews know how to engage targets as a crew.”
During the training, the Light Armored Vehicle would move from battle position to battle position to engage targets down range.
“We have engagements that simulate single targets, multiple targets, and vehicle targets,” Foraker said. “When they go down range, they have to identify the target, the type and size, then figure out which one takes precedence and engage.”
Foraker said that for some of the Marines out here it is refresher training.
“We’re busting the rust off,” Foraker said, “It’s very rare to see a crew go out and pass all the engagements; by table four, they’re starting to remember target acquisition, it takes time, but we see them progressively get faster.”
Sergeant Michael Wood, a vehicle commander with the Charlie Company, and a native of Crystal Lake, Illinois, said that the training was important for not only the individual Marine, but was well as the company.
“This training is teaching these Marines how to become experts on this weapon system,” Wood said. ”In order to have a company that can function, you need to have crews that are qualified to be able to properly engage the enemy using these weapons systems.”
The Marines qualified as part as of their annual training to maintain mission readiness and to be prepared should they be called to action.
“We don’t have an imminent threat, but that doesn’t mean tomorrow we won’t,” Foraker said.