Photo Information

Marines make their way to a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during aerial insert drills at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sep. 13, 2017. The exercise is part of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation to test the unit’s capabilities in a combat environment. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Holly Pernell)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Holly Pernell

1/6 conducts MCCRE

19 Sep 2017 | Lance Cpl. Holly Pernell 2nd Marine Division

About 600 Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment conducted a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation to test the unit’s capabilities in a combat environment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 12-15, 2017.

The exercise consisted of the Marines being evaluated on their performance of raids, defensive operations and aerial inserts while role-players acted as an oppositional force to test the battalion’s effectiveness against a reactive enemy.

“This type of evaluation is important for a lot of reasons,” said Capt. Andrew Davis, Bravo Company Commander, 1/6. “The battalion is bringing together all the internal training pieces we’ve done to be evaluated on.”

The MCCRE gave Marines a chance to not only operate their own weapon systems but also incorporate sections of tanks, amphibious assault vehicles and additional fire support. Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion also supported 1/6 during the evaluation by assisting with special inserts, battlefield shaping and reconnaissance and surveillance.

“Ultimately everyone in the Marine Corps is supporting the infantry including us as reconnaissance elements,” said Capt. Adam Fountain, the executive officer of Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. “We exist to support the main effort.”

2nd Marine Division evaluates each battalion with a MCCRE prior to deployment. This evaluation is just one of the many exercises the battalion is using to prepare for their upcoming deployment to Europe.

“I think it’s important that we are evaluated on these types of tasks to see if our unit is combat ready,” said Lance Cpl. Kevin McCormack, a squad leader with Bravo Company. “I believe after this MCCRE, we are.”

More Media