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Artillerymen train for combat readiness: Marines brave cold during exercise at Fuji

USMC News
Story by Staff Sgt. Jason M. Webb
Story Identification Number: 2003210175726

EAST FUJI MANEUVER AREA, Mainland Japan(Feb. 7, 2003) -- Nearly 200 Marines of S Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, are currently deployed here for an artillery relocation exercise.

Throughout the month-long exercise, the artillerymen will conduct live-fire drills to sustain and enhance the unit's artillery skills and combat readiness.

Because they are not able to fire their guns on Okinawa, artillery units come here to maintain overall readiness and live-fire ability. However, according to 2nd Lt. Charles D. Evans, executive officer, the real benefit is the ability to train the individual assets to make the battery work as a complete unit.

The training involves refining the skills of the individual Marine for the better of the battery. Part of that, Evans states, is minimizing the time it takes to get the firing mission and putting rounds on target.

Behind each artillery battery, there is a formula for getting rounds on target.

The "brawn," as Evans explains, is the M198 155mm Medium Howitzer. Yet, there is more to it than simply firing rounds down range.

Hidden away near the impact area are forward observers, and they are the "eyes" of the battlefield.

The forward observers are usually the first to see the battle unfold, and without them the battery would have to rely on less timely and accurate data.

Once they observe the action and make their calculations, they call back to the "brain" of the battery known as the Fire Direction Center. The Fire Direction Center then compresses the raw data and disseminates the information to the gun line.

Once the data is completed, the fire mission is given and the rounds are launched to the target.

Other components also factor into the success of the live-fire exercise with the help of meteorological, radar and other support Marines.

This particular exercise is not much different than any other artillery relocation exercises, so units like S Battery have to make each training evolution better than the last by refining what they already know with the uncertainty of the future.

For Evans, it all starts with his young noncommissioned officers. According to him, they are the future of his battery and the artillery field in general.

"Our biggest challenge overall is working on our small unit leadership, but our biggest goal is to build confidence in the young noncommissioned officers and make them believe in themselves," the Higgonsville, Mo., native said.

Another challenge, he added, was the ability of his Marines to face the cold and harsh weather at the base of Mount Fuji.

The Marines are scheduled to wrap up the live-fire portion of their exercise soon, and plan to return to Okinawa after their additional training, maintenance and community relations events.

S Battery is currently attached to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. They are originally deployed from 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, located at Camp Lejeune, N.C.