After seven months of training...
"Charlie" heads home
USMC News
Story Identification Number: 200342174058
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan(March 28, 2003) -- Marines from C Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division will complete their required training on Okinawa and head back to their home base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii within the next two weeks.
Their seven-month deployment here, which was part of the Unit Deployment Program, began in early-Sept. of 2002. The battery has participated in numerous training events since being on Okinawa
Their first training exercise was a trip to the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves. The Marines spent several days training in a jungle-type environment; something that they don't often do in Hawaii, according to Capt. Keith E. Burkepile, commanding officer.
"At JWTC, we did everything from rope skills and management to survival packages and force-on-force drills," the Carlisle, Penn., native said. "JWTC is a unique training environment that most Marine bases don't have, so it was a real treat."
The battery then jumped from the jungle and into the snow as they partook in the Korean Incremental Training Program where they spent five weeks conducting training operations near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
"In Korea we got the opportunity to work with an Army tank battalion," Burkepile said. "We also got to do a lot of our own training there. They had a great machine gun range and pop-up target ranges as well. The whole experience was good for the battery."
Once finished with KITP, C Battery took a short break from training to embrace the Christmas holidays.
"We got a few days off for Christmas," Burkepile added. "For the Marines, Christmas can be a lonely time so we had a Battery Christmas party for them. Some of the Marines' wives came over from Hawaii as well."
After the holidays, they had crossed the halfway point of their deployment cycle. Once late January came, the battery saddled up for their final exercise while on Okinawa - a seven-week deployment to Camp Fuji.
"In Fuji we had the chance to do a helicopter raid with CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters," Burkepile mentioned. ?We also got to do some cross-country skiing and training wearing snow shoes. Operating in the snow is something we don't get to do very often, especially in Hawaii."
The sunny beaches of Hawaii may be home for C Battery, but the only time they stayed warm on this deployment was in between exercises on Okinawa.
"The theme of this deployment so far has been operating in cold weather," Burkepile added. "The combined time we spent in Korea and Fuji was 12 weeks which was just short of half our time on (Unit Deployment Program). Both places provided us with snow and single-digit temperatures."
Now finished with their training, C Battery reflects on their experiences and why they are important.
"Every unit that comes to Okinawa on the (Unit Deployment Program) is prepared to either go to the field or go to war." said 1st Sgt. Craig L. Bieber, battery 1st Sgt. "That's what we do and being self-contained, we're always ready to go at a moments notice."
Some of their more exciting memories of the deployment took place during KITP when the battery interacted with the Korean culture.
"Before we went to Korea, the noncommissioned officers did a Professional Military Education class on the Korean conflict," Bieber added. "Because of that, the Marines were very aware of how close the enemy was when we were training there."
Bieber also added that anywhere in Korea is different, culturally speaking, from what his Marines have seen. It gave them a new outlook on what other parts of the world are like.
A number of junior Marines in the battery agreed that Korea was the more memorable part of their deployment. Operating near the Demilitarized Zone and liberty trips to Seoul were some highlights that they said they would never forget.
"I think the one thing I'll take away from this deployment was the memories of seeing different countries in Asia," said Cpl. Andrew E. Wold, artillery cannoneer. "I think seeing the different culture of Korea and Japan is an opportunity that most miss out on. I'm glad I was here to see it all."
Now that the battery is leaving, Burkepile reflects on the goals he had set for his Marines during their time spent here.
"The biggest goal I had for my Marines while on Okinawa was not to wear them down, but just to keep them busy. I knew that once they kept busy, then time would fly by a lot faster for them here on Okinawa."
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