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Supporting America's newest war MACS-4 keeps marksmanship skills on target

Marine Corps News

12/17/2002

Story by Sgt. John Sayas

KARSHI KHANABAD, Uzbekistan(Dec 13, 2002) -- Marines of Air Traffic Control A Detachment, Marine Air Control Squadron-4, Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted live-fire training recently at Camp Stronghold Freedom here to help familiarize themselves with the weapons and defensive measures that may be used during imminent attacks against American and allied forces.

The detachment, along with other air command and control agencies within the Marine Air Control Group, is deployed here and in Afghanistan in support of America's war against terrorism.

The primary mission of the detachment, which is composed of tower and radar controllers, maintenance crews, communications technicians and headquarters staff, is to coordinate airspace management and air command and control functions for operations here and in the surrounding areas of Afghanistan.

The training was conducted along with base defense drills, which are performed periodically in conjunction with Army and Air Force personnel, to evaluate how well the three services are able to defend positions in case the base is attacked by radical groups that are reportedly in the area, according to Staff Sgt. Eugene A. Willette, air traffic control radar systems chief and anti-terrorism force protection staff noncommissioned officer in charge.

Willette said the local radical groups are reported to be loyalists to the Taliban and al Qaeda movement and supporters of their way of life, which in turn can be a threat to the safety of personnel at the camp.

"Although the affiliation of the groups' operatives vary greatly, their tactics and armament are much the same," explained Willette, as he briefed Marines gearing up for the base defense drill.

"They typically exploit the use of stand-off weapons in order to soften targets and cause confusion...likely courses of action would be rocket attacks, operations to secretly gain access to the base and suicide runs at the base," Willette said.

To repel such an attack, Marines performed live-fire training to familiarize themselves with base defense procedures and operating procedures of weapons that will be used along the perimeter of the camp such as the M16A2 service rifle, M240G machine gun, and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

"Each Marine is required to man a fighting position at anytime, day and night," the San Antonio, Texas native explained. "The Marines must make sure they are confident with their weapon and that it's on target."

Willette said the Marines are normally trained to conduct rear-area security and protect the airfield from any attacks. They currently have a 24-hour post that protects and ensures the safety of radar and communications systems along the airfield. He also that added all the Marines are required to be on standby in case they ever fall under attack.

As the anti-terrorism force protection supervisor, Willette must ensure his Marines are prepared and ready to respond at a moment's notice with safety in mind by conducting classes regularly on rules of engagement, battle gear and weapons handling.

"We were able to get a good feel of how the Marines were shooting and how they felt," Willette said. "The exercise was a complete success. Anytime you walk away from a range with no injuries or mishaps, it's a successful range."