HIJUDAI MANEUVER AREA, Oita, Japan -- Steady breathing, stealth and patience are just a few attributes of an effective sniper. Marines of scout sniper platoon and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's special shooting team partnered up to rehearse these techniques during Exercise Forest Light 12-01 at the Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita prefecture, Japan, Aug. 21.
The platoon, part of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, worked alongside its JGSDF counterparts to enhance its ability to move in a thick, heavily vegetated environment without being spotted.
Even though this environment can assist in preventing detection, every sniper must learn to traverse through it while maintaining stealth.
"There is no chance of finding us when our positions are covered by layers of bushes, trees and tall grass," said Sgt. Tokiwa Miura, a sniper with the special shooting team, JGSDF. "Camouflage is not just adding vegetation to you, but also to your rifle."
Multiple layers of vegetation may be needed to effectively camouflage oneself, according to Staff Sgt. Loren M. Cunningham, the platoon sergeant of the scout sniper platoon.
"The proper use of camouflage and proper selection of firing positions all tie together to effectively conceal you from the enemy," said Cunningham.
After applying camouflage and selecting a firing position, the snipers worked to conceal their locations and maintain noise discipline.
"After I would camouflage my face, suit and rifle, I would take my shots, but I was still not in the clear," said Sgt. Hideaki Shiotsuki an infantryman with the special shooting team, JGSDF. "We would pick up the brass from the rounds we shot, clean up our firing position, and crawl away keeping a low profile until we reached safety."
According to Cunningham, the bilateral exercise provided great training in dense terrain and a successful experience of working alongside the JGSDF.