Targets at a Beninese range that were traditionally used to receiving impacts from the 7.62 mm round of the AK-47 had to also deal with a flurry of 5.56 mm fire from the M16 service rifle as Reserve Marines joined Beninese forces in a live-fire exercise at the Military Information Center here.
The infantry men of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division led Beninese soldiers through combat marksmanship training during Lima’s first live-fire training exercise with the West African soldiers as part of Exercise SHARED ACCORD 2009.
Joint exercises that involve live-fire help increase tactical abilities while strengthening bonds between the two nations, said Maj. John K. Jarrard, a Gainesville, Ga., native. “[Such exercises] show our trust and confidence in them, and theirs in us,” said Jarrard.
The exercise was performed on a range recently renovated by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, as part of SHARED ACCORD. “[The range] wasn’t like this before, but now it is very good,” said 1st Sgt. Marcellin Sinzogan of the Beninese Army.
The camaraderie between the Marines and the Beninese improved right along with the range.
“I liked seeing that the Marines weren’t closed off anymore,” said Sinzogan about the no longer seemingly shy Marines who now exchanged jokes with the Beninese and shared personal pictures while waiting to move to the firing line. “I liked seeing that the espirit de corps between us and them was growing.”
After zeroing their rifles, the Marines went through a course of combat marksmanship, before yielding to the Beninese for a shot their range. Later, both services fired the M-9, 9mm pistol together.
This first exercise is only the beginning of the Marines’ and Beninese’s live-fire training evolution. Over the next few days they will conduct fire on moving targets, fire with movement, and cross train with one another’s weapons.
The militaries also taught one another about the operations and assembly of their respective weapons.
First, a Beninese soldier showed the Marines of Lima Company how to take apart and reassemble an AK-47, the Beninese Army’s weapon of choice.
He then let the Marines take turns putting together the rifle.
Being familiar with a weapon that is often used by America’s adversaries, said Sgt. Mark H. Freeman of Kilo Company, can make all the difference during real battlefield scenarios.
“If we had to drop our M16s and pick up an AK-47s we could still be hooking and jabbing,” the Montgomery, Ala., native said.
The Marines returned the gesture, teaching the Beninese soldiers the assembly and operation of the M249 squad automatic weapon.
Lima and the Beninese’s first live-fire exercise, though an introductory one, had to be handled carefully.
When live rounds are heading down range, nothing can be lost in translation, said Spc. Michael L. Johnson, a crypto-linguist with 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion, based in Ogden, Utah, and the acting interpreter on the range. “I do my best to keep it very simple,” he said. “I speak in broad strokes.”
The Beninese proved quick students, he said. “They’re very willing to learn and ready to try whatever we teach them,” Johnson added.
Exercise SHARED ACCORD is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa-planned exercise that supports U.S. Africa Command’s Theater Strategic Objectives. The exercise is scheduled to conclude on June 25.