2d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV) will be conducting a deployment for training (DFT) from November 1-14, 2020 at Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center, Va. The exercise is a requirement which tests the core competencies of Marines who operate light armored vehicles and who perform infantry related tasks in support of 2d MARDIV.
 

Marine LAR battalions conduct combined arms reconnaissance and provide an amphibious force projection solution to unit commanders. A unique facet of LAR units is that unit tactics primarily involve the LAV-25 (Light Armored Vehicle-25), which is an amphibious, eight-wheeled, armored vehicle designed to transport mechanized infantry, unit commanders, vehicle recovery equipment, and various weapon platforms.

The DFT requires Marines to drive LAVs from Camp Lejeune, NC to Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center, VA utilizing mostly public roadways.

“Moving vehicles as large as an LAV on civilian highways successfully is no small feat, and it gets vehicle commanders excellent repetitions at always remaining alert during the conduct of movement. Once on site, it will be new terrain that a majority of Marines are seeing for the first time, which forces them to quickly adapt to their new operational environment while still solving complex tactical problems,” stated Sgt. Joseph Owen, a platoon sergeant with Alpha Company, 2d LAR.

Achieving increased efficiency by improving on current systems while incorporating next generation equipment is a primary goal of DFT. Training far from the Camp Lejeune area requires months of detailed logistical planning and coordination in order to be successful.

Assistant Operations Officer 1stLt Jordan Lyons highlights that the DFT “will better prepare 2d LAR Marines to operate disaggregated while incorporating small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and digital communications assets with the endstate of shortening the kill-chain.”

For more information on 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion’s involvement in this exercise, please contact 1st Lt. Dan Linfante at (910) 451-2030, (910) 545-9681, or daniel.linfante@usmc.mil.

-USMC-

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