1st ANGLICO Conducts Night Operations
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100421-12
4/21/2010
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darius Jackson, Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs
USS LABOON, At sea (NNS) -- Marines of the 1st Air Naval Gun Fire Liaison Company (1st ANGLICO), stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., conducted night operations to perform checks on their weapons, radios and tactical gear.
Their orders: disembark the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) on a rigid hull inflatable boat, make landfall under the cover of darkness, and link up with a local national where they will trek to designated coordinates and set up a reconnaissance and observation post in search of five high-value targets (HVT) or high-value individuals.
When they locate the targets, the Marines call in an air strike from British Tornado fighter jets, U.S. Navy SH-60 Seahawk helicopters equipped with hellfire missiles, or naval gunfire.
The catch: the mission is a training exercise in support of Joint Warrior 10-1, a United Kingdom-led, semiannual event that encompasses multinational and multiwarfare exercises.
"Realistic missions are always better than simulated, because you can make corrections to stay proficient," said Sgt. Ryan Culverson, a three-time veteran of Joint Warrior.
Culverson serves as one of the platoon's Joint terminal attack controllers, where he directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in offensive air operations, calling air or naval bombardments on HVTs from a forward position.
Beyond the battlefield experience, Joint Warrior allows the Marines to work alongside NATO counterparts, learning their procedures, battlefield lingo and weapons.
In this particular mission, the Marines trained with the British-made SA80 machine gun, or "bullpup," instead of the issued M4 carbine, allowing access to another tactical weapon used by small infantry units.
The exercise prepares Marines of 1st ANGLICO for deployments as part of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is scheduled to deploy later this year.
"The same guys we are training with now are the same guys we go to Afghanistan with," Culverson said. "It's good to put a face with a name."
The exercise also gives the Marines a chance to work with ships of different platforms, led by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24. DESRON 24 leads Joint Warrior as the independent deployment certification executive agent for commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic.
The exercise promotes commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.
Joint Warrior 10-1 began April 12 off the coast of Scotland, where the participating navies are practicing joint maritime operations in a controlled environment.
Nations participating in the exercise are Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.
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