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New grenade range construction under way

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 2003314155044
Story by Cpl. Julie A. Paynter

MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif.-(March 14, 2003) -- During a regular training year, the Marine Air Ground Combat Center conducts 10 Combined Arms Exercises, two Desert Fire Exercises, Steel Knight and Desert Scimitar exercises using the more than 15 grenade, tank, machine gun, Nuclear Biological Chemical Defense and tactics range areas as training fields. But when training dies down- something unusual in itself- what do the supporting units do with the 935 square miles of training ground they are so used to rebuilding for each CAX?

Units like Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 and Range Training Area Maintenance Section, Headquarters Battalion, are using their remaining personnel to maintain their primary missions as well as using this CAX downtime as an opportunity to recreate and renovate some of the ranges in need of extra care.

An example of some of these renovations is the revamping of Range 104, the combined grenade, M-203, Shoulder Mounted Area Weapon and AT4 range. Both units are in the midst of recreating the grenade range at Range 106 and a separate range for the automatic weapons at Range 110.

According to Staff Sgt. Kevin Ferree, team leader, RTAM, the replacement Ranges, 106 and 110 are scheduled to take the place of Range 104 during its renovation period of about a year-and-a-half. Once Range 104 is open again, Range 106 and 110 will help accommodate Marine training.

"Just in case CAXes start up," explained Ferree, "We're building it now, because we simply have the time."

According to Ferree and fellow Heavy Equipment Platoon Marines, this opportunity does not come very often.

"This is great training for our shop," said Sgt. Michael White, Projects Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge, Heavy Equipment Platoon, RTAMS. "We don't just throw down dirt, we build these berms," said White. "There's a complete process we have to go through to build these ranges. Our shop doesn't normally do that type of work. Now once these Marines leave us for another unit that does more of this type of work on a regular basis they will be more equipped for the future."

Marines in support of CAX rebuild targets, berms and bunkers and put up concertina wiring to prepare the grounds for the next training cycle.

"Our whole deal is supporting CAX. We maintain the airfield and all construction to support the CAX," said Lance Cpl. Rodney Kessler, combat engineer, Construction Platoon, MWSS-374.

Although this down time has afforded CAX supporting units to focus on additional needs of construction and maintenance, Kessler says he's still looking forward to the CAX training pace. "I'm definitely eager to get back to (our regular) work."