Shooting Drills Help Marines Sharpen Skills
(February 2, 2010) |
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Marines from 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, fire rounds
at a target while at the rifle range on Camp Dwyer in Afghanistan's Helmand
province, Jan. 23, 2010. |
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CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, 2010 –
With large packs and complete sets of personal
protective equipment, Marines from Headquarters
and Service Company of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine
Regiment, arrived at the makeshift rifle range
here Jan. 23 under rain-threatening clouds.
"There's going to be a lot of pivoting and
shooting, facing away from the target and
turning around very quickly; usually engaging
the target with two shots at a time," said
Marine Corps Cpl. Sandro Ola, a field radio
operator. "It's very quick and to the point."
The drills also consisted of firing while moving
toward the target, reloading rifles quickly and
correcting weapon malfunctions while under
pressure.
Ola, from Anchorage, Alaska, said he thinks the
firing drills will benefit the Marines who will
be working with Afghan soldiers to conduct
counterinsurgency operations in southern Helmand
province.
"It's very crucial that we have this training,"
he said, “[so that] when we have the opportunity
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take that shot, we know when to take it and when not to take it." |
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The drills consisted of two separate shooting sessions, one
during the day and the other at night. During the night-fire
portion, Marines used night-vision goggles and laser-aiming
devices to help them see their targets.
"The more training they have with their gear and [optics]
and everything, the more comfortable they are when it comes
to the real thing," said Marine Corps Staff Sgt. William
Hart, who's in charge of the range.
The Marines agreed that repetitive training is a key element
for combat readiness.
"The whole point ... [is] to get you used to moving around and
shooting with your rifle," said Marine Corps Pfc. Joseph
Attaway, an administrative clerk from Statesboro, Ga.
"Whenever the time comes when you have to shoot, you just do
it out of habit." | |
Article and photo by
USMC LCpl. Tommy Bellegarde
1st Marine Division's Regimental Combat Team 7 public
affairs office
Special to American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2010
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