MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The Marines of Personal Security Detachment, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division launched Mojave Viper with a bang Aug. 1 here.
In an attempt to enhance their basic mortarmen skills, the PSD Marines practiced live-fire maneuvers and standard operating procedures with the M224 60 mm Lightweight Company Mortar System.
The mission of the LWCMS is to provide the company commander with an indirect-fire weapon.
The LWCMS has a maximum effective range of 3,490 meters and maximum rate of fire of 30 rounds per minute.
The LWCMS is manned by three Marines: gunner, assistant gunner and ammunition man. The Marines must work as a team to utilize the weapon to its full potential.
"Today we are re-familiarizing ourselves with the 60 mm mortar section, basic operating procedures and working on basic handling of the gun,"said Staff Sgt. Enrique Alaniz, 29, a Company I platoon sergeant from Brownsville, Texas.
During the exercise, the Marines adjusted their weapons according to their firing coordinates. Once given the coordinates, the Marines manning the weapon were timed in plotting the target data.
"It's training for what we are going to be doing, there is no better place to train than here to go to Iraq,"said Lance Cpl. Chris J. Rogers, 21, mortarman from Brighton, Mich.
The drills provided Marines a hands-on learning experience that allowed them to recognize the areas in which they need to improve.
"I think we could have done better today. We found deficiencies in the things we do, and it gives us something to work on,"said Alaniz. "We're lacking in one basic principle, we are relying too much on our computer. If we put in the wrong information in the computer, the system won't work."
The familiarity of the mortar system gained here will help the Marines accomplish their mission while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Pfc. John J. Campbell, 19, machine-gunner from Chaska, Minn.
"The more we train here, the more proficient we will be later,"said Campbell.
"A lot of practice is going to be needed, hands-on training and working as a cohesive unit,"Alaniz said.
"It's tough now, but it's all worth it because the training we endure here could save our lives in Iraq,"Campbell said.