MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Exercise Island Viper was conducted to train three of the four infantry battalion core mission essential tasks; amphibious operations, offensive operations and stability operations.
During this training the unit focused on small unit-level leadership in order to increase their lethality and ability to fight whenever the battalion is called upon to fight. They conducted a live-fire squad attack, helicopter-borne operations, amphibious operations with amphibious assault vehicles and stability operations all led by the enlisted Marines at the squad leader level.
The regiment’s intent during this exercise was to develop and empower its noncommissioned officers. The Marines were evaluated by their noncommissioned officers and senior noncommissioned officers on their small unit leadership, weapons proficiency and lethality.
“All of our expectations and training objectives were met,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Donald Wilson, 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines operations chief. “The battalion looks forward to conducting more advanced exercises and refining our readiness during upcoming exercises like (Rim of the Pacific) and Desert Talon.”