15th MEU fires at U'lupau
Story by Staff Sgt. Robert Carlson
Story Identification Number: 200321121852
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(Dec. 8, 2003) -- Reconnaissance Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) stopped at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay in December to hone their sharp shooting skills from the rim of the U'lupau Crater at the Range Training Facility.
The high-angle firing positions of Range 10 on the lip of the volcanic crater gave the 10 Marines valuable experience shooting at targets from high above with their A-3 rifles.
The Marines are part of the MEU's Battalion Landing Team 2/1. They said they were able to shoot a little during the workups for this deployment, and got some practice shooting off of the fantail of the USS Tarawa, but weren't able to shoot at any long range targets.
With more than 1,000 rounds fired on the Known Distance Range, and several hundred more from the high-angle range, the shooters had the practice they needed to prepare for whatever missions may come their way while deployed.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii supported the reconnaissance Marines with the flexibility and combat training they needed to increase their combat readiness.
The shooters set up targets at distances ranging from 600 to nearly 1,000 yards, and firing from the lip of the crater gave the Marines a chance to shoot at an angle of more than 19 degrees.
Since the Marines have been using the new A-3 rifles for only four months, the training was valuable because it allowed them to become familiar with the calculations and adjustments necessary to reach out and touch a target from 600 yards away, even from a point 800 feet above the target's level.
The 15th MEU(SOC), from Camp Pendleton, Calif., and the USS Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group got underway for their six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region Jan. 6. They pulled out of Pearl Harbor Jan. 15.
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