The exercise is a regularly-scheduled artillery training consisting of 10 days of live-fire training. It enables Marines to maintain operational readiness for any contingency where artillery would be required.

"The purpose of the training is to get them proficient in getting rounds downrange in a timely fashion or manner in support of the units calling for fire and to better prepare them for when we deploy to a combat environment," said 1st Sgt. Ira Dejesus, first sergeant of 2nd Bn., 12th Marines. "I walked away knowing this battery is capable and ready just like any other battery to take on any mission called upon."

During the exercise, Marines sent more than 600 artillery rounds effectively downrange.

But, success was not based on how many rounds were fired, instead it was measured by the effectiveness of the battery's ability to do the job efficiently, said Capt. Todd H. Litvin, commanding officer of Battery E, 2nd Bn.

"When we train for some of those events, and we do it properly, that is how we measure success, not solely by the number of rounds fired," he said.

During each day of fire, Marines packed up their equipment and moved to different firing positions to simulate scenarios the artillery battery could encounter in a combat environment.

Before the exercise, the target acquisition team surveyed the training area to plot the locations of the impact area, observation posts and gun line. This ensured all battery Marines were aware of these locations when observers called in fire missions, said Sgt. Joshua A. Young, survey chief with the target acquisition team, 12th Marines.

Once the exercise began, forward observers and scout observers were forward deployed to the training area to call fire missions in the impact area. Fire support liaisons were also forward deployed to act as go-betweens for observers and the fire direction control center.

At the gun line, fire direction control Marines directed the artillery crewmen on what rounds to fire, how many rounds to fire and target locations.

The end result was artillery crewmen on the gun line sending accurate fire missions down range with M777 howitzers.

The exercise was challenging, but the best part for one Marine was the opportunity to watch his Marines become more proficient within their specialties.

"I enjoy watching my Marines succeed and excel at their jobs and (military occupational specialties), and I enjoy watching them grow and just all the training come to life," said Sgt. Joshua L. Jessip, liaison chief with Battery E, 2nd Bn. "I think that is the best for me," he said.