MCB Hawaii -- The calm peacefulness of Fort Hase beach at night is shattered by the frantic release of dozens of 9-mm rounds toward the dim silhouette of a human figure. The rounds strike and tear through the object with extreme prejudice. A number of flashlights are then seen examining the shredded receptacle of lead.
Luckily, this time, the rounds were being fired at nothing more than paper targets. Marines with Radio Reconnaissance Company, 1st Radio Battalion, spent last week on the FBI Range aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, preparing for the possibility of real contact with a human enemy in an urban combat situation.
The Marines training with pistols at the FBI range were training in preparation for deployments with the 15th and 31st Marine Expeditionary Units. The typical weapon carried by a radio recon Marine in an urban situation is the M9 Beretta 9-mm pistol.
The training on the range was designed to increase the speed and accuracy with which a Marine engages a target, said Master Sgt. Scott Laasanen, a qualified pistol marksmanship instructor and the operations chief with Radio Reconnaissance Co., 1st Radio Bn.
The majority of the Marines on the range were pistol qualified, however, a few were not. The Marines not pistol qualified had no trouble picking up and building the necessary skills through numerous classes, repetition and constant coaching on the line, said Laasanen.
The expertise varies among the Marines training, said Laasanen, but the goal was to build each Marine's skill level to the point that he can recognize a threat, draw his weapon, and send a round down range within a time limit of two seconds.
This was done by the use of cold-fire drills. Laasanen timed the Marines' reactions when they first arrived in the morning, and again when they returned from lunch. He used a stopwatch to monitor improvement.
The times improved when the Marines were wearing concealed holsters, which are primarily for urban use, as opposed to the standard military issue holsters, which are more effective in a field environment, said Laasanen.
Thanks to the courses they received on combat pistol shooting the Marines of Radio Recon Co. deploying with the MEUs will be better prepared to do their job and perform their vital mission in an urban combat situation.