MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Across part of the Combat Center’s mountainous terrain, two forces went head-to-head during Exercise Watchtower. They fought through long days and cold nights while competing for control of the Prospect Corridor training area.
Throughout the exercise, Companies E and G were tasked to move through and secure the ranges while Company F acted as opposing forces with the objective to delay the arrival of their opposing force to their final objective at the Prospect Corridor until 5 a.m., Nov. 11.
“There are approximately 130 Marines and sailors in Fox Company,” said 2nd Lt. Joshua Foster, platoon commander, F Co., 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. “Our job is to act as the opposing forces for the exercise so the rest of the battalion can work against real opponents.”
F Co. used hills and rock formations in the terrain to keep themselves hidden from sniper teams that acted as intelligence scouts and over watch for the rest of the battalion. The majority of the company’s attacks were conducted during nighttime hours to further delay the battalion.
“Our intent is to set up in multiple locations and draw them into those locations so that we can keep them on their toes for as long as possible,” said Lance Cpl. Isaac Paredes, rifleman, F Co., 2/7.
The exercise provided the Marines an opportunity to better themselves securing areas and locating opposing forces, as well as enabling the leaders of the various teams with the ability to make crucial decisions in the fog of war.
“Rather than giving specific tasks to the Marines under me, they understood my intent and communicated amongst themselves,” said Capt. Kyle May, commander, G Co., 2/7. “This made things go smoothly and allowed for them to progress toward the objective.”
The intent of the exercise was to practice locating enemy forces after losing contact with them. The battalion’s leadership evaluated their Marines to look for skills that could be improved upon while building trust within the different team leaders and their Marines.
“This exercise gave me a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Abitz, platoon sergeant, 2/7. “It also builds the teams leaders trust in their Marines. It gave me a lot of confidence in my squad leaders.”
Company F successfully held off the other companies from reaching the Prospect Corridor until the end of the exercise. Throughout the 36-hour training exercise the entire battalion improved their own abilities and helped sharpen their skills necessary to operate during deployment.