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Cpl. Kody Biggs, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, makes his down river, around a trail that is known to have notional improvised explosive devices during an attack evolution at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 20, 2016. The Marines conducted patrols, ambushes and assaults to prepare of their upcoming Integrated Training Exercise.

Photo by Cpl. Justin Updegraff

Attack Evolution: 2/8 Marines patrol, ambush and attack

22 Apr 2016 | Cpl. Justin Updegraff The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Wading through chest deep water, narrowly avoiding notional improvised explosive devices, U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducts an attack evolution aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 20, 2016.



“Today we conducted an attack evolution incorporated with physical training in order to prepare ourselves for the rigorous attacks that we are going to perform during our Integrated Training Exercise, starting next week”, said Cpl. Casey Mansfield, a squad leader with the battalion. “The main purpose was to get them uncomfortable and get that unknown factor of what’s going to happen next while under the stress of being wet and cold.”



During the training evolution, the Marines were tasked to complete the basics of being an infantryman. They conducted patrols, eliminated enemy targets and executed a casualty evacuation.



“The best thing I saw [during the exercise] was that we were all from different squads, so we all had to morph together, but the teamwork and the unit cohesion was there”, said Lance Cpl. Thomas Svrjcek, a rifleman with 2/8. “It showed that as a platoon, not just a squad, we can all work together.”



After each exercise concluded, intelligence was gathered giving them information about either an enemy patrol or a fortified enemy position. The Marines then had to maneuver to the location and conduct the ambush or attack, all while remaining silent and vigilant of any enemy threat.



The Marines will be conducting an Integrated Training Exercise at Twentynine Palms, California, this May. They will be conducting offense and defense exercises, as well as Military Operations in Urban Terrain in preparation for their deployment in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Africa later this year.

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