HIJUDAI TRAINING AREA, Japan -- Approximately 160 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force are scheduled to conduct artillery training here, as part of the Artillery Relocation Training Program.
The purpose of the regularly scheduled training is to ensure that the Marines are able to sustain their operational proficiency in order to respond effectively to any conflict in the Asia-Pacific region where artillery units would be needed.
“Our mission is to ensure we’re combat ready,” said Lt. Col. Ricardo Miagany, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “It’s fundamental to what we do as Marines.”
The ARTP distributes artillery training conducted by the Marines here across mainland Japan.
Other Government of Japan-approved training sites include Ojojihara, Yausubetsu, north Fuji and east Fuji training areas.
This year’s training will provide more than familiarization and sustainment for participating Marines, said Gunnery Sgt. Davy Cadd, battery gunnery sergeant for Bravo Battery, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines.
“The Marines will learn a lot about firing and maintaining their weapons in inclement weather,” said Cadd, referring to the freezing temperatures and deep snow drifts at the range. “We’ve encountered different weather patterns at each of these training events we’ve conducted in the past, and it’s good for us to be able to operate across a spectrum of weather conditions.”
Four M777 howitzers will be utilized during the training, as well as several additional weapons systems, to include the M2 Browning heavy machine gun and the M240B medium machine gun.
Live fire days for training are scheduled for Feb. 1-19.