Teams provide fire, support
5/25/2011
By
Cpl. Elyssa Quesada
,
11th MEU
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.
Combined anti-armor teams and a light-armored reconnaissance platoon took lessons from past combat operations as they brought vehicles and weapons to a five-day raid course here May 23-27.
The Weapons Company Marines from Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, attended the course taught by I Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group.
In one simulated raid, a team provided security for a landing zone and established a support-by-fire position as Marines in light-armored vehicles maneuvered to an objective and engaged targets.
LAR platoon sergeant Gunnery Sgt. Matthew P. Rea said such training strengthens the team, and if called to conduct a raid in the real world, the warriors will act as one.
"It's for the Marines to know how each other will act and react under fire," said Rea, 34, who hails from Encinitas, Calif.
The light armored reconnaissance vehicles carry 25mm cannons, while the humvees with CAAT carry.50 caliber machine guns, grenade launchers and tube-launched optically-tracked wire-guided missiles making them capable of destroying an array of enemy targets.
"With CAAT, Weapons Company and LAR heavy guns and anti-armor weapons, it's a lethal combination," said Sgt. Curney Russell, 26, section leader with B section, LAR.
The units will continue to train to prepare for the MEU's upcoming Western Pacific deployment.
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Gunnery Sgt. Matthew P. Rea, 34, platoon sergeant with the light armored reconnaissance section, BLT 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, discusses plans for a training raid with his Marines here May 25. The raid is part of a Special Operations Training Group program to prepare the Marines for their upcoming 11th MEU deployment, Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 3:56 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receive a brief before engaging simulated enemy forces during a raid here May 25. The raid is part of a Special Operations Training Group program to prepare the Marines for their upcoming 11th MEU deployment., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 6:29 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Pfc. Adam C. Kanter, 19, a machine gunner with weapons company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts a weapons check before participating in a training raid here May 25. The raid is part of a Special Operations Training Group program to prepare the Marines for their upcoming 11th MEU deployment., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 4:22 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Gay and Sgt Bert Bazarro, combat engineers with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct rehearsals before participating in a training raid here May 25. The raid is part of a Special Operations Training Group program to prepare the Marines for their upcoming 11th MEU deployment., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 5:19 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Gay, a combat engineer with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, throws a claw to practice clearing a path during a Special Operations Training Group raid course here May 25., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 5:30 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security while rehearsing a raid here May 25. The raid is part of a Special Operations Training Group program to prepare the Marines for their upcoming 11th MEU deployment., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 5:38 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-A rope and hook system helps Marines and sailors from Battalion Landing Team 3/1 simulate entering a secured area to engage enemy forces during an exercise here May 25. The exercise is part of a Special Operations Training Group program to prepare the Marines and sailors for their upcoming 11th MEU deployment., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 5/25/2011 5:40 AM
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