Marines

"Fightin' I" destroys silhouette targets off the Carolina Coast

26 Oct 2000 | Lance Cpl. Charles W. Palmer IV Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Marines of the 'Fightin' I' 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division fired rounds at silhouette targets during a presentation drill here Oct. 13 during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force-6 type commanders amphibious training exercise.More than 40 India Company Marines fired 30 rounds each off the bow of the ship with the purpose of honing their skills in quick reaction firing. The exercise showed Marines who had never been on ship before that training does not stop while embarked, explained 2nd Lt. Philip J. Dykeman of Syracuse N.Y., and the Weapons Platoon commander."Everyday you get to shoot a round out of any weapon is a fun day," said Sgt. Kevin S. Moul of Crestveiw, Fla., the acting platoon sergeant of 2d Platoon. Before the exercise, Marines set their battle zeros, received a safety brief and rehearsed a dry-fire so there would be no problems once the actual gunfire began.The Marines fired in six relays and overcame the additional impediment of a slightly swaying ship."It gives the Marines a different environment to practice handling weapons," Dykeman explained.Most Marines said they were happy to get the experience."It gets us outside in the breeze," said Cpl. Timothy J. Smit of Bellingham, Wash., a rifleman with Weapons Plt.The 'Fightin' I' and other Marines from 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines are acting as the ground combat element for the MAGTF. They took part in an amphibious landing Oct. 15.