7/29/2019 Observation Post, 25 January 2013

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January 25, 2013 Since 1957 Vol. 57 Issue 03

[Above] An M1A1Abrams tank provides

suppressive fireagainst simulatedinsurgents during day12 of the IntegratedTraining Exercise,Jan 22.

[Right] Marines with3rd Light ArmoredReconnaissanceBattalion drive behinddefensive lines duringthe MechanizedAssault Course atRange 210 Jan. 22.

From Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles,Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines fired .50 caliberrifles at explosives Jan. 18 aboard the Combat CentersRange 112.

The Marines, students at the Corps EOD AdvancedTraining Center, here, were learning to conduct standoffmunitions disruption operations during the live-firetraining scenario.

Thirteen students, all staff sergeants, are halfwaythrough the 20- day training course before theyre sent back

to the operating forces. The students are scheduled to grad-uate Feb. 1, leaving the Combat Center with the tools need-ed to better train junior Marines for any situation their mil-itary occupational specialty calls for.

The students also learned to conduct post-blast analysis,where the Marines investigate blast sites to find out whattype of munitions were fired, where they were fired fromand what type of weapon system was used to fire the round.While deployed, these types of training scenarios can be animportant factor to keeping Marines well-informed of theenemys activities.

We can give the unit commanders that information,like, This is what youre looking for, this is how far awaythey can shoot at you and its over there running up anddown that trail, said Master Sgt. Erik Swanson, EODsupervisors course chief, Headquarters Company, MarineCorps Communication-Electronics School.

The course takes EOD technicians through informal lec-

tures in the classroom, performance-based evaluations andpractical applications all to better fill EOD team leader bil-lets in the Fleet Marine Force.

It starts out slow. It starts out with EOD trainingand what it takes to run an EOD training section,Swanson said. Then we go into military munitionsrules, basically what constitutes wasted munitions orwhat makes it ser viceable.

Were getting into techniques to low-order detonatemunitions, Swanson said. The technique is a way to safelydefuse a situation when a high-order detonation could causedamage to an area, he added.

During the second week, students demonstrated SMUD

operations. This technique allows EOD technicians to rap-idly clear a runway. The Marines can fire 7.62 mm or .50 cal-iber rifles to low-order detonate the threat from a distance.

After the class fired their seven rounds on the .50 calrifle, the students began their test on the Marine air systemsremote firing device portion of the day. The MASRFD is anelectronic device that allows EOD technicians the ability tocontrol a blast down to the second.

Instead of having to run out time fuses, which give us alimited time, this we can set up and [fire it on command],said Staff Sgt. Ian Hassing, a student in the course. It givesus better control in case somebody comes in the area or [thesituation] changes. This gets us that full control when itcomes to safety.

The MASRFD is a safe ty precaution, expla ined StaffSgt. Kyle Winjum, instructor. Its just another tool in

The Com bat Act ionRibbon is awarded to Marineswho have rendered satisfacto-ry performance under enemyfire while actively participat-

ing in a ground or surfaceengagement.

A revision to the require-ments to receive the award hasredefined what can qualifyMarines for the CAR, due toMarine Administrative Message038/13.

The award is given forengagement while under fireand in direct contact with theenemy, receiving and returningfire. The revision reflects thevery real threat posed to coali-tion forces from improvisedexplosive.

These devices have become

one of the biggest threats totroops in Afghanistan. Thoseexposed to them may be eligi-ble to receive the CAR underits revised requirements.

Any Marine who is exposedto or is directly active in dis-abling, rendering safe ordestroying IEDs, mines, orscatterable munitions, with orwithout enemy presence, isnow eligible for a CAR.

These ind ividuals are atincreased risk of the effects of

these weapons, if detonated.This const itutes performanceunder fire if either a Marine iswithin close proximi ty of det-onated munitions or neutral-ized it poses as a threat.

Using remote mine clearingsystems or direct fire weapons to

neutralize or destroy the threatfrom outside of the anticipatedblast area does not qualifyMarines to receive the CAR.

Acco rding to theMarAdmin, an active IED,mine or scatterable munitionare defined as one having botha main explosive charge andfunctional fusing or triggeringmechanism. Caches of theseexplosives not emplaced bythe enemy for detonation alsodo not qualify as meeting thecriteria for the award.

This revision is retroactive to2001, qualifying anyone who

meets the criteria since then toreceive the award.

Currently, the only author-ized operation which the CARmay be awarded for isOperation EnduringFreedom. Marines can onlyreceive the CAR once peroperation, even i f engagedwith the enemy or munit ionsmultiple times.

For more information refer toMarine Administrative Message038/13.

New rules to receive

Combat Action Ribbon

Cpl. Ali AzimiCombat Correspondent

The Combined Federal Campaign is a charitable-giv-ing drive for employees in the federal workplace. It beganin the early 1960s to coordinate the fundraising efforts ofvarious charitable organizations. During 2012, theCombat Center raised more than $300,000, an achieve-ment the installation has never reached previously.

There are many different charities federal employeescan donate to, ranging from medical research to animalrescue, veteran support agencies and science and tech-nology. The campaign ran for three months, September

to December, and attracted a total of 5,183 donors, dou-bling last years record.

Its an opportunity for federal employees to partici-pate in a drive that helps hundreds of charities across the

world, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Lawanda Hall, man-power staff non-commissioned officer in charge,

Company A, Headquarters Battalion. 2012 turned outgreat. This year the Marine Air Ground Task ForceTraining Command raised $323,822.91 and we morethan doubled our contributors.

Halfway through the campaign, Hall and Col. GeorgeC. Aucoin, chief of staff, MAGTFTC, Marine Corps AirGround Combat Center, met with each of the installa-tions unit commanders, sergeants major and commandrepresentatives to provide participation feedback.

For one, we had a lot more involvement with aware-ness, Hall said. We oversaw the weekly participationrate and then we pulled all of the commanders in andadvised them of where they stood.

Three major events were held around the CombatCenter to bring attention to the campaign.

The focus of course is always on making 100 per-cent contact, because if you have contact its more

The focus of course is always on making

100 percent contact, because if you have con-tact its more likely to appeal to someone andcreate more donors.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Lawanda Hall

GATEWAY TO AFGHANISTAN

For the story and more photos go to A5

See SMUD page A6

Cpl. William J. JacksonCombat Correspondent

Annual drive comes

to successful close

AIR FORCE STAFF SGT. STEPH

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CPL. AL

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Technicians practice SMUD operationsS

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y and photos by Cpl.W

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am J.J

acksonCombat Correspondent EOD

ExplosiveOrdnance

Disposal

See C

AMPAIGN page A6