Marines in Australia

[Snowden]

Charlie Co. hones skills in Australian outback
Submitted by: 11th MEU
Story Identification #:20063185497
Story by Cpl. Ruben D. Calderon



TOWNSVILLE, Australia (March 18, 2006) -- Marines from Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif., conducted a four-day weapons-training evolution in the desolate outback here, March 13-17.

Battalion Landing Team 1/4 and the MEU Service Support Group 11, another element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (Special Operations Capable) came ashore from the USS Peleliu, USS Ogden and USS Germantown to conduct training here.

For Charlie Company, training on live-fire assaults and maneuver exercises in an environment and climate different from their home back in Camp Horno, Camp Pendleton, proved beneficial to the Marines.

“The company is very fortunate to be able to train here,” said 1st Sgt. Kenneth M. Hasbrouck, company first sergeant. “There is some different and creative terrain here that the Marines aren’t accustomed to.”

Being used to training in mock-urban environments, the mountainous area and rocky hillsides initially challenged the Marines and the humid temperatures also took some getting used to. However, just as Marines have been doing for ages, the Marines and sailors of Charlie Company adapted and overcame.

“We got used to the environment quickly,” said Sgt. Richard Martinez, guide, 1st platoon. “Once that was out of the way we focused on the training such as squad movements as well as getting some shooting time with our weapons.”

Charlie tested out its arsenal of weapons by setting up ranges in different locations throughout their training site. Supplied with approximately 30,000 5.56 mm rounds for every rifleman’s M-16 A4 service rifle, the thousand-plus Marines from the company were very happy to have enough ammunition for their four-day visit.

The Marine were also glad to be off the ship and in a training environment larger than the flight deck of the Peleliu, said Staff Sgt. Arturo Cisneros, platoon sergeant, 1st platoon. “Here we have a lot more room to focus on the fire team maneuvers with live rounds.”

As with any training evolution, safety was always on the minds of the Marines. Prior to performing the exercises, every squad would rehearse and do a walk-through before doing it with live rounds.

According to Hasbrouck, the command’s intent was making sure everyone left Australia in one piece and that they returned home safely from this deployment.

Thanks to the safety measures, there were no injuries and everyone left the training area grateful for having the opportunity to become more knowledgeable and proficient in their occupational specialty.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to train out here in Australia,” said Cisneros. “We’re always striving to be the best. We’re always pushing to be the best. This type of training helps us accomplish this.” *


http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/12EC16B868B66D0585257135003B6DDD?opendocument

*I can't get the quotes around this article.