NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Marine Corps Reserve unit takes Camp Atterbury

By Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

Marines from the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines conducted pre-mobilization training for their drill weekend period at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. The 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, a Marine Corps Reserve unit, headquartered in Detroit, has four companies located in Michigan and one in Ohio.

Cpl. Benjamin Rosek, of Midland, Mich., with 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, fires an M72A2 Light Anti-tank Weapon simulator on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. The Marines were conducting training over the course of three days in preparation for pre-deployment training this fall. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs)

The Marines are scheduled for a deployment to Afghanistan in the spring of 2012 where they will be conducting security missions at a number of locations in that country, said Maj. Derek Snell, battalion operations officer. "We will mobilize in the fall. The battalion will receive four months of training at Camp Pendleton, Calif. prior to deploying to Afghanistan for seven months," said Snell. Snell said the Marines like coming to Camp Atterbury for the variety of training opportunities it affords them. "It is a different venue. We go to Camp Grayling and Camp Custer a lot, but we've been coming to Atterbury consistently for the past three years." he said. "Camp Atterbury gives us different live-fire ranges that we can't get in Michigan."

Cpl. Terry Pittman, of Westland, Mich., and Lance Cpl. Robert Casamatta, of Dearborn Heights, Mich., mortar gunners with 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, adjust the sights on an 81mm mortar after receiving fire direction information during a live-fire exercise on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. The 1st Battalion 24 Marines are a Marine Reserve unit headquartered in Detroit. that is scheduled for a deployment to Afghanistan in the spring of 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs)

The Marines training schedule was busy over the three days they were at Camp Atterbury. They trained on 60mm and 81mm mortar systems, individual and crew-served weapons, vehicle roll-over simulators, fired M72A2 light anti-tank weapons, participated in counter-improvised explosive device classes, squad live-fire exercises and scout snipers performed marksmanship training on known distance ranges, said Snell.

According to Lt. Col. Christopher Douglas, commander 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, of Detroit, Atterbury typifies the one team, one fight philosophy of joint operations; that it is apparent in the professionalism of the instructors. It is the command philosophy of Camp Atterbury's leadership that filters throughout the installation, Douglas said. "It's a great training area," said Douglas.

Marines with the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines launch an 81mm mortar during a live-fire exercise at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. The 1st Battalion 24th Marines are a Marine Reserve unit headquartered in Detroit, Mich. that is scheduled for a deployment to Afghanistan in the spring of 2012(Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs)

"My Marines have commented on the professionalism of the Soldiers they've worked with here." With the companies of 1st Battalion, 24th Marines spread over a large geographic area, training at Atterbury gives the battalion a chance to work together prior to the additional mobilization training they will receive at Camp Pendleton. "It affords us the opportunity to bring the entire battalion together and train to our unit mission objectives.

All the units have been conducting their training at separate locations, four of the companies are coming from Michigan and one is coming from Ohio; Atterbury gives us the ability to come together and execute operations as an infantry battalion. It gives me as the commander to go physically to one location and be face-to-face with the (company) commanders and see the Marines, how they're progressing in their pre-deployment training," said Douglas.

Marines with the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines file into the gas chamber, filled with a riot control agent, at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. While inside, the Marines demonstrate the ability to properly seal their chemical protective masks. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs)

For the Marines, the pre-deployment training will be a continuous process, occupying their drill periods but will also serve as the mission for a one month annual training period this summer, said Douglas. "Our focus is training and preparation for Afghanistan," said Douglas. "The training is going well because of the Marines.

The Marines of 1st Battalion, 24th Marines are professional and dedicated. We have engaged leaders at the noncommissioned officer level, who are really those quiet professionals that are focused on preparation for deployment." "Marines are Marines. They're warfighters, they live by a code, timeless and dedicated. They are ready, willing and able to answer the country's call," said Douglas. "It is truly inspiring to see the Marines over the past few days, to see their professionalism."

Lance Cpl. Dustin Wilson, of Luckey, Ohio, changes the barrel on an M240B machine gun employed by Lance Cpl. Ben Gibson, of Toledo, Ohio, both with the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines at a machine gun range on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. The 1st Battalion, 24th Marines are a Marine Reserve unit headquartered in Detroit, Mich. that is scheduled for a deployment to Afghanistan in the spring of 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David Bruce)

Cpl. Byron Peter, of Monroe, Mich., a mortarman with the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, is eager to deploy. "It's why I, really all of us, joined - to fight for our country," said Byron. "I expect us to be successful in our missions. We've been training hard and we still have much more ahead of us. I'm excited for this opportunity to show what the reserves and this unit can do."