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2nd LAAD Marines hit the mean streets of combat town

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 6/4/2003

Story by Cpl. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (June 4, 2003) -- The scream multiple artillery shells can be heard throughout the area. Marines emerge from the brush and assault an unsuspecting town.

This was the scenario played out by the Marines of B Battery from 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion at the Combat Town training area in Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene May 20-21.

"The purpose of this training was to expose the Marines to the basic understanding of operating in an urban environment," said 1st Lt. Todd Schunk, executive officer, B Battery, and South Plainfield, N.J., native. "LAAD is unique in the respect that we are a MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) asset that provides air defense for both the ACE (Air Combat Element) and GCE (Ground Combat Element), so it is important for the Marines to be exposed to the same training as their counterparts who they'll most likely be defending."

Both batteries went head-to-head in a two-day battle at the urban environment, having A Btry., role play as the enemy threat and allowing B Btry. to gain experience in urban tactics.

The Marines used paintballs as ammunition for their weapons. Marines wore special face protection and body armor to absorb the impact of the paintballs throughout the assault.

"The battles went on all day and all night," he said. "It was a pretty intense experience for the Marines, especially at night when they had no vision, making it difficult for them."

The urban warfare battles gave the Marines the chance to apply the combat fundamentals they were taught in Marine Combat Training.

"We instilled a lot of the basics of combat," said Lance Cpl. Patrick Jennings, team leader, A Btry., and from Chicago, Ill. "Using the simulated rounds really showed the severity of it and the reality. Being shot at really showed us that this wasn't just a game, and it was to be taken seriously."

Throughout the night artillery shell simulations went off like ear-piercing firecrackers, keeping the Marines awake and alert at all times.

"You have these arty shell simulations constantly going off, keeping you up all night," said Lance Cpl. Jonathan Sheets, assistant gunner, A Btry. and a Seattle native. "On top of that, you have people sneaking in the buildings and trying to catch you sleeping. So you always have to be on your toes and ready for anything."

After completing the two wearisome days of skirmishes, the Marines of B Btry. came out of the exercise with the firsthand experience and knowledge of urban warfare.

"A lot of lessons were learned and experience gained," said Sgt. Lawrence Goodloe Jr., section leader, B Btry., and a Jackson, Mich., native. "They learned the basic understanding of employing their combat skills in an urban environment and have gained a good foundation to improve those skills for the future battlefield."