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Marines achieve several "firsts" during BALTOPS 03

USMC News

Submitted by: Marine Forces Reserve
Story Identification Number: 2003626183726
Story by Capt. Patrick Kerr

USTKA, Poland(June 26, 2003) -- The eruption of high-powered weapons drowned out even the loudest conversation. Hundreds of .50 Cal. machine gun, and 60mm mortar rounds were concentrated downrange as a platoon of Marines advanced toward their target, systematically mowing down anything in its path. Training like this is hard to come by in the states, let alone on a small Danish island in the middle of the Baltic Sea.

Welcome to BALTOPS 03, a coalition exercise held every year involving U.S. and allied European forces. This year's exercise took place on Bornholm island, just south of the Swedish mainland, and in Gdynia, Poland. Lucky for the Marines from Milwaukee-based Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, and 4th ANGLICO out of West Palm Beach, Fla., this was the first year in the history of the exercise that land operations were being conducted.

"We've been trying to do this for two years in the states," said Oklahoma City resident Maj. Geoffrey Doyle, Commanding Officer of Fox Company. "This has been an invaluable learning experience for us. We couldn't be more thrilled."

The only drawback to the training on the island was the constant outbreak of fires. Dry terrain, coupled with a ferocious wind, led to tinderbox conditions on the range. The fires died down after the tracer rounds were removed from the machine gun ammo, but they weren't eliminated altogether.

"The fires were somewhat of a deterrent, but they didn't stop us from training," said Doyle. "We've had a lot of rounds to shoot off and we didn't let it slow us down any. The Danish military did a great job of putting out the fires and getting us back on track."

The Marines bivouacked out in an open field next to some abandoned farm buildings, adjacent to the range. The same conditions that were so conducive to fires on the range made for the perfect sleeping environment: no rain, constant breeze, and mild temperatures. Despite the long hours from the training and the seemingly endless summer sun, most Marines found sleeping outside to be just as, or more, comfortable than sleeping inside.

"I didn't even have a tent," said 2nd Lt. Simon Wlodarski, Sniper Platoon Commander from Arlington Heights,Ill. "I just wrapped myself up in my bag and my bivy sack and crashed out. I've never slept better."

The Marines wrapped up the live-fire portion of their training June 13 and returned to the barracks for some much-deserved liberty, which kicked off the following day. After going all out for five days straight, everyone welcomed the chance to let off a little steam and explore the island. The town of Roenne, a few miles from the barracks, was the destination of choice for those eager to experience the local culture for the first time.

"When we were on our tour, people were really decent, friendly and outgoing," said Gunnery Sgt. John P. Scheerer, Company 1st Sgt. "We saw this incredible castle that even the Danish MP's who were with us seemed to be proud of. I wish I was sitting on that real estate with a house right where the castle was. Primo real estate."

The Marines who had been training in Poland got back just in time for liberty. Their training there culminated with an amphibious landing with the Russian Naval Infantry, the Russian equivalent to the Marine Corps. This was the first time in the history of the two forces such an operation has occurred.

"I loved training with the Russians," said PFC Bobby Davis, Milwaukee, machine gunner, 3rd platoon. "Taking that beach was awesome. For the first time, I felt like I was actually doing my job."

Once liberty was secured, everyone had to return to the field the next day in preparation for the exercise-ending Non-Combatant Evacuation. Working in conjunction with the soldiers from U.S. Army National Guard Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry out of Butler, Penn., Danish soldiers, Lithuania soldiers, and a British medical contingent from the HMS Somerset (among others), the Marines were tasked with providing security around the perimeter of the operation and conducted around-the-clock patrols while the NEO was underway. Always hungry for action, the Marines were a little disappointed there weren't more engagements with the "enemy", but they left the field with a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

"All around, I think this was a great trip," said Lance Cpl. Anthony G. Hibbler. "I think out of all my four years of being in and actually going to train, the way we did the live fire exercises was like being at an amusement part. I wanted to ride all the rides twice."