Story by 2nd Lt. John Graham
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES
Photograph by Lance Cpl. Anakin Smith
2nd Marine Plane Wing
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – U.S. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Protection (LAAD) Battalion, Marine Air Management Group 28, 2nd Marine Plane Wing (MAW), carried out a scenario-driven coaching for counter-unmanned plane programs (UAS) aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15-17.
The aim of the coaching was to evaluate, refine, and validate counter-UAS techniques, methods, and procedures and to construct confidence amongst 2nd LAAD Battalion Marines in conducting counter-UAS missions. Occasions equivalent to this give 2nd LAAD Battalion the chance to coach, educate, and ultimately present subject-matter specialists in assist of creating counter-UAS packages throughout 2nd MAW. These counter-UAS packages shall be crucial for 2nd MAW’s skill to establish and defeat adversary intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and concentrating on platforms, contributing to counter-reconnaissance efforts and enabling stand-in forces to persist inside an enemy’s weapons-engagement zone. Counter-UAS is core mission important activity for 2nd LAAD Battalion. Second LAAD Battalion will search to proceed to evaluate, refine, and validate their techniques, methods, and procedures to fulfill the calls for of the trendy battlespace within the ever-changing UAS setting and the proliferation of unmanned plane programs.
“At present’s coaching offers LAAD a solution to develop techniques, methods, and procedures for us to conduct lively air protection in opposition to small UAS after we are built-in with the infantry,” mentioned 2nd Lt. John Osment, a local of Charlotte, North Carolina, and the unit readiness coordinator for 2nd LAAD Battalion. “It additionally offers the infantry an opportunity to see normal working procedures that we make use of in order that when LAAD will not be there to assist them, they will conduct pressure safety on their very own with weapons which can be natural to the infantry battalion.”
Throughout this coaching, Marines have been examined on their skill to shoot, transfer, and talk in a counter-UAS situation whereas instantly partaking single-person operated drones with direct hearth weapons, equivalent to shotguns, machine weapons, and rifles, whereas conducting patrols and occupying defensive positions. The Marines have been offered with three totally different situations. After a drone was detected within the subject of fireplace from an unknown location, the Marines have been required to course of studies for monitoring the drone, take up their designated firing positions, and have interaction with the drone till it was destroyed or the course of fireplace was accomplished.
The Marines credit score their success to the planning and rehearsals they acquired main as much as the live-fire portion of the coaching. Earlier than the live-fire portion of the coaching occasion, the Marines spent a number of days conducting sand-table workout routines and immediate-action drills, familiarizing themselves with the vary’s terrain and conducting dry-fire rehearsals to construct their confidence earlier than firing stay ammunition. Small-unit leaders have been tasked with guaranteeing their Marines have been absolutely ready to place their coaching into apply and conduct their counter-UAS mission.
“The proliferation of UAS employment in fashionable battle necessitates our Marines to shoot, transfer, and talk in a UAS-dominant setting,” mentioned Lt. Col. Bradley Creedon, commanding officer of 2nd LAAD Battalion and a local of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “At present’s coaching offers us the chance to place our CUAS techniques, methods, and procedures to the take a look at and construct the arrogance of our Marines in conducting CUAS gunnery.”
