Photo Information

Marines with 10th Marine Regiment prepare to fire a howitzer as part of their fire support coordination exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 22-24, 2013. The FSCEX brought together 10th Marine Regiment and members of the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to practice fire missions.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Krista James

10th Marines, ANGLICO join forces for training

24 Jul 2013 | Lance Cpl. Krista James 2nd Marine Division

Marines with 10th Marine Regiment and soldiers with the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company joined forces for a fire support coordination exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, July 22nd through 24th.

The exercise consisted of Marines and soldiers located at Observation Point 2, calling in fire missions to the Marines at the Fire Detection Center at Gun Position 23, which is about seven miles away from OP2.

After the Marines at GP23 fired their first round, those at OP2 tracked the round’s flight and impact trajectory. From there, they could call in a change of direction or a completely new fire mission.

Staff Sgt. Richard Munguia, operations chief for 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, said that the FSCEX is going according to plan.

“It’s a new battery for the Fire Support Coordination Center, so there are some growing pains, but it’s going well,” said Munguia, a Sinton, Texas native.

First Lt. Paul Jackson, a platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, said that this training is important for the Marines.

“It’s good for the Marines to get out and get live-fire training,” said Jackson, a Charleston, S.C. native. “Nothing compares to live-fire training.”

Both Munguia and Jackson agreed that this training helps Marines to develop individual job skills and is a critical step in developing the teamwork and cohesion which Marines need to really perform well together.

“It’s a new battery, so we need time to work together,” said Munguia. “This is our first chance to get a live-fire exercise in.”

“It helps the Marines be more proficient at their jobs, it helps team cohesion and it’s just good training all around for the entire battery,” said Jackson.

Munguia said that he wished that they could do this type of training more often.

“As far as live-fire goes, we don’t get to do it very often, so I wish we could do it more,” said Munguia.

He won’t have to wait too long since the Marines and soldiers participate in fire support coordination exercises about once a month, and will be conducting similar training again sometime in August.