HIJUDAI TRAINING AREA, Japan -- The Marines of Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, kicked off the live fire portion of their artillery training as part of the Artillery Relocation Training Program here Feb. 7.
The purpose of the regularly scheduled training is to sustain core capabilities and ensure Marines are prepared to respond effectively to any conflict in the Asia-Pacific region where artillery units may be needed, according to Capt. Neal Cheramie, commander, Bravo Battery.
“Our goal is for the battery to be able to execute firing procedures efficiently and to improve on whatever issues they may have encountered on our last two ARTP shoots,” said Cheramie. “We want them to keep getting better.”
The ARTP distributes artillery training conducted by 12th Marines across mainland Japan. The battery trains annually at Government of Japan-approved sites including Ojojihara, Yausubetsu, North Fuji and East Fuji training areas.
According to the battery commander, utilizing the M777 howitzer, the battery will send a total of approximately 500 rounds down range.
In addition, Marines will also conduct proficiency drills with the M2 Browning .50 caliber and M-240B machine guns.
The experience of the Marines participating in the training ranged from five-time veterans to first-timers. Many of the Marines agreed the training was vital to maintaining proficiency in their field, especially given the difficult terrain and inclement weather conditions.
“This training is especially helpful to the Marines who’ve only worked with the howitzer once or twice,” said Sgt. Dustin Zimmerman, section chief, Gun Team 2, Bravo Battery. “It will give them confidence in fighting through less- than- perfect conditions.”
Although this is the third evolution of training the battery has conducted during their deployment to Japan as part of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program, the Marines kept their game faces on as they conducted fire missions professionally and efficiently.
“We take every round seriously when it comes to this training, no matter how many times we do it,” said Cpl. Dennis Price, assistant chief, Gun Team 2. “We train like we fight and fight like we train.” The challenging terrain and climate will also serve to enhance the target objective and reiterate the fact that Marines can conduct missions in any “clime and place,” said Zimmerman. “We have the capability to shoot these guns everywhere- from the beaches of Australia to the deserts of Afghanistan,” said Zimmerman, who is participating in his fifth ARTP shoot with this unit. “Making sure we’re comfortable and capable with our systems will help us reach mission accomplishment when it comes to the real thing and it’s time to rock and roll.”