MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Marines assigned with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, here conducted M203 grenade-launcher, M240G machine-gun drills, and live-fire exercises at Kaneohe Bay Range, Aug. 29, to prepare for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.
During the training, Marines worked on occupying a firing position and engaging an enemy target down range. They also practiced performing barrel changes and ammunition reload drills, explained 1st Lt. Ziad N. Fakhoury, company commander, Charlie Company.
"Over the next three days, the focus of our training will be on fire team and squad levels," said the Syracuse, N.Y. native. "We're working to prepare for platoon- and company-level training that will be conducted during PTA (Pohakuloa Training Area) training in October."
Fakhoury said the training the Marines are conducting at the range is conducted as much as possible - according to availability of ranges.
"This training is very important for the Marines and is very effective, because it's training they will use in combat," said 30-year-old Fakhoury.
Marines start their training at the small-unit level then progress to the company levels, Fakhoury added.
Lance Cpl. Peter J. Fleetwood, machinegunner, Charlie Company, said he enjoys this type of training and finds it to be very effective.
"This training is really good for the new guys who haven't been to combat," said Fleetwood. "When we do train, we always try to get it through to everyone that the way we train is the way we'll perform in combat."
According to Fleetwood, a Fort Mills, S.C. native, barrel change and misfire drills are the most important, because these procedures and problems are common in combat.
"I think another reason we do this training is so everyone knows everyone else's job - just in case," Fleetwood added.
Next week, Charlie Company, will be conducting 60mm mortar and shoulder-launched multipurpose weapons training at K-Bay ranges, followed by patrolling exercises at Kahuku's Range, in Kahuku.
"All of the training we're doing will help us be more prepared for our upcoming deployment to Iraq in the spring," said Fleetwood. "There's not a doubt in my mind that Charlie Company will be well trained and prepared for our upcoming deployment."