MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (March 6, 2007) -- Marines and Sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (REIN), 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element combined forces today at Range 227 to learn, reiterate and enhance advanced combat firing techniques.
Utilizing the M9 Pistol, M16 series rifles and Benelli semiautomatic shotguns, nearly 75 shooters ran through a tactical gauntlet of targets, crouching and ducking into several shooting positions with the intent of modifying marksmanship fundamentals for combat scenarios.
"Everyone knows how to go through the motions, like we do on the (known distance) range," said Gunnery Sgt. Gerald Bolfa, Primary Marksmanship instructor from CLB 13, "but we needed to get out and do some 'combat shooting.' This is geared toward that."
Bolfa, a National Rifle Association marksmanship instructor in his off time, said one primary focus on the range was to give Marines some space and time, allowing them to react and problem solve with free will.
"This is shooting, thinking and reloading all on your own," said Bolfa, "because in combat, you're not going to have someone telling you to do all this stuff."
Marines on the firing line couldn't have agreed more.
"We (as Marines) need to continue training for 'real-world' scenarios," said 1st Lt. Jose Hernandez, officer-in-charge of Marine Mobile Air Traffic Control Team (HMM-163).
Hernandez, a mustang officer and native of Los Angeles, stressed that with close deployment turnaround time, realistic training is crucial to combat success.
"Marines are getting on planes and within 48 hours could be in combat, so this training is becoming very important," he said. "God knows what we're going to get in to."
First Lt. Jose Hernandez, officer-in-charge of Marine Mobile Air Traffic Control Team (HMM-163), prepares his M9 pistol during an advanced firing package at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Hernandez and Marines with HMM-163, CLB-13 and the 13th MEU Command Element took part in the range in preparation for an upcoming Western Pacific deployment. (Photo By Sgt. Andy Hurt/13th MEU)