Photo Information

Marines with Charlie Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion halt before a river crossing during water operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 22, 2016. The company, based in Galveston, Texas, conducted operations in land and sea to prepare for their upcoming unit deployment program to Okinawa.

Photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez

4th AABn arrives in Camp Lejeune for water operations

24 Jun 2016 | Cpl. Paul S. Martinez The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Marines with Company C, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion conducted water operations as part of their two-week annual training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 22, 2016.

The company, based in Galveston, Texas, is conducting various operations in land and sea to prepare for their upcoming unit deployment program to Okinawa, Japan.

The unit is conducting amphibious transits, riverine operations and gunnery training with the Mk-19 40mm grenade launcher, according to1st Lt. Ian Bryant, a platoon commander with the company

Bryant noted the value of a dedicated two-week operation as being important to the company due to their status as a reserve unit.

“Throughout the year, we don’t get a lot of time on the vehicles or in the water because of the limited amount of time we spend together, so this training is crucial to reinforce that mindset of what it takes to employ the vehicle and its weapons in the water,” Bryant said. “As a reserve unit, there’s not much time for training, so these weeks really allow us to get the experience we need.”

The previous assignment the company participated in was the integrated training exercise 4-15 last year, according to Cpl. Barrett Cliett, a crew chief with the company.

“Depending on the water type, approaches may be different, and so we have to prepare our newer Marines on how to navigate,” Cliett said. “The training also entails practicing formations in the water such as gator circles.”

The company is slated to begin their UDP in October.

“We’re amphibious. It’s what makes us unique,” Cliett said. One of our main tasks is to get the infantry ashore, and we will always train for it.”


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