SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Heavy metal was flying high above the Hawaiian skies, thanks to more than 100 Marines from Charlie Battery, 1st Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, and a Helicopter Support Team from Combat Service Support Group 3, which performed an artillery and helicopter raid at Schofield Barracks on May 21.
The raid consisted of a four-part evolution and was one of the preparatory exercises for the 1/12 leathernecks before they deploy to Okinawa in the fall.
"This training evolution will better prepare us for a battalion landing team exercise in Korea, while deployed to Okinawa with 2/3," said Capt. Keith Burkepile, commanding officer, Charlie Battery, 1/12.
The first phase consisted of a security element and advance party flying on an Army CH-47 Chinook Cargo Helicopter into enemy grounds. They checked for booby traps, possible mines and enemy troops. Once the area was secure, the first group radioed the command element and told them the area was clear for phase two to begin.
In phase two, the assault phase, the guncrew jumped on a returning Army CH-47, while Marines from the Helicopter Support Team, CSSG-3, hooked up the M198, 155-mm towed howitzer to the aircraft.
"The Army CH-47 helicopters are the only aircraft on the island that can lift the M198 howitzer," said Burkepile.
During the third phase, the firing phase, the guncrew fired at two pre-planned targets. The fictional targets simulated a communication and ammunition storage site.
After the Marines finished firing at the targets, the more than 15,000-pound. guns, the advance party and the security element all flew back to the pick-up zone where the exercise was evaluated.
"It has been a real good working experience with the Army, added Burkepile.
"They are real professionals."