Marine Corps Base Hawaii

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- As preparation for a possible future deployment to Afghanistan, Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, traveled to Twentynine Palms, Calif., for a Combined Arms Training Exercise during the month of September. During their stay, the Marines from “America’s Battalion” will train using the integration of air and ground elements along with live-fire exercises. Although the Marines train numerous times every year with similar exercises at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the big island of Hawaii, Twentynine Palms will be more realistic as the weather there is similar to what they could potentially experience in the future, said Cpl. Carlos R. Johnson, operations non-commissioned officer for 3rd Marine Regiment. “It gets so hot out there during the day,” said Johnson. “It can be 115 degrees during the day, but then drop quickly to freezing temperatures at night. It’s the same way over in the desert.” Upon finishing their training in Twentynine Palms, the Marines will move on to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif. This post is one of the most isolated in the Marine Corps and the training emphasizes the development of both individual and unit mountain skills with the primary emphasis on enhancing the overall combat capability of the unit. “It’s basically the same sort of training that we do when we go to PTA,” said Johnson. “The main thing for the Marines to get used to and be forced to deal with is the harsh weather conditions.” Once training wraps up, Marines will return to MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, sometime in early October and will await any future deployments. “The Marines are excited about this opportunity,” said Johnson. “They’ve waited a long time for this chance.”