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Hijudai Arty Relo ready to launch

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 1/23/2004

Story by Cpl. Benjamin M. George

Hijudai Maneuver Area, Japan(January 23, 2004) -- Marines from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, stationed in Hawaii, currently with 3rd Bn, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa as part of the unit deployment program (UDP) headed out to the field in the Hijudai Maneuver Area today to prepare for an artillery relocation exercise.

The live-fire portion of the exercise is scheduled to begin Jan. 26 and end Feb. 6, to include day and night-fire training.

"The purpose of this training is to maintain our operational readiness and proficiency," said Lt. Col. Michael Langley, commanding officer, 3/12, and Shreveport, La., native. "This exercise will give our Marines the opportunity to practice and fine-tune their skills in order to effectively complete our mission, the mutual defense of Japan and response to any Asian-Pacific contingency where artillery would be needed."

The battery-level exercise will involve 225 personnel, 33 HumVees, 17 trucks and six M198 155mm Howitzers.

Due to it's climate and terrain, the Hijudai Maneuver Area offers a different training environment and provides a realistic setting to better prepare Marines to meet their training objectives of operational readiness and proficiency, according to Langley.

"Because this is an unfamiliar training area, the Marines will be pushed out of their comfort level," said Capt. David Everly, commanding officer, Battery B, and Inglewood, Ca., native. "The environment will be a great challenge, but that is why we are here, we want challenging training."

Aside from a different training area, the Marines will also be faced with a climate that differs greatly from Okinawa, including severely colder temperatures, strong winds and day-to-day snowfall.

"This exercise will show us what we are capable of in a harsh climate," said Sgt. Michael Elkins, section chief, guns platoon, Battery B, and Pound, Va., native. "Because the atmosphere is so different, it will emphasize the need to focus and work together to get the job done."

During the days leading up to the training, Lt. Col. Langley spent time visiting local leaders to explain the Marines' mission here and to ensure their primary goal would be met, safely.

"As important as the training is, safety is always at the top of the list," said Langley. "The harsh conditions of the environment only highlight our need to keep safety in the forefront of our daily operations."

As Battery B prepares for the live-fire portion of the exercise, their commanding officer is looking to "push the bar."

"Many of the junior Marines (within the battery) will be filling leadership positions following this exercise (when senior Marines leave)," said Everly. "We are looking to push the battery to achieve a max level of performance, but the bottom line is to fire every round accurately, timely, and safely."