B15
THE COAST NEWS
AUG. 23, 2013
C AMP P ENDLETON N EWS
Air Support makes thunderous bang on range By Cpl. Sarah Wolff-Diaz
CAMP PENDLETON — Marines drop to their knees behind a cement barrier as a thunderous explosion sends shrapnel flying through the air. The percussion resonates through the hills of Las Pulgas from Range 109. Twenty-four Marines from Marine Air Support Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing here, conducted live-fire training with M67 Fragmentation Grenades on Aug. 13. The Marines began their day at the range with a reading of Cpl. Jason L. Dunham’s Medal of Honor citation, followed by an open discussion about courage. “You don’t know when you’ll be deployed,” said 2nd Lt. Jennie Bellonio, the range’s officer in charge and an air support control officer with the support squadron. “You need to know how to properly handle this weapon system to keep yourself, and those around you, safe.” Bellonio continued to say that the squadron is one of the few units still being deployed. “It’s the same reason we
Lance Cpl. Lester Echols, left, chucks an M69 practice grenade from a training bay on Range 109 here. Twenty-four Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 3 of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing here conducted live-fire grenade training here. Echols is an air support operator with the support squadron here. Photo by Cpl. Sarah Wolff-Diaz
go to the rifle range every year,” said Bellonio. “We should be keeping up to date with grenade training as well.” The Marines donned their Personal Protective Equipment after the discussion and safety brief. They began practice throws with M69 practice grenades that are commonly known as ‘blue
bodies” on the range. While repeating commands given by instructors as they practiced proper grenade handling procedures and throwing form in the concrete launch bays. “In our (Military Occupational Specialty), we’re usually collocated with the ground forces, which means we have the unique possibility of going out on
patrols and leapfrogging ahead as they move,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Nicholson, a platoon sergeant with the squadron. “So we may find ourselves doing infantry type things.” After the Marines felt comfortable with the “blue body” grenades, they were separated into two columns where they would be called
two at a time to the ammunition sheds. They gingerly placed the live fragmentation grenades into the pouches attached to their flak jackets and made their way to the live-fire bays aloud before executing. “You get that high explosive so close to your heart, it gets you kind of nervous,” said Sgt. Jonathan
Washington, an air support operator with the squadron. “But when you have the confidence of knowing it’s a tool that I’m properly trained to use; you think ‘I can do this.’” Standing in the bay, live grenade in hand, each Marine repeated commands given by their instructor. “Thumb clip. Twist, pull pin. Prepare to throw.Throw!” Marines drop to the ground behind the barrier as the ticking sphere whizzed through the air. The Marines wore flak jackets, Kevlar helmets, and ear and eye protection to shield them against flying debris and concussion. “Every one of (the Marines) was confident,” Washington said. “I really liked the way they reacted, and the motivation it gave them.” Once the Marines were done, they were given the opportunity to go to the observation tower and watch the next group heave grenades across the range. “We try to do this annually,” said Bellonio. “I would love to get (my Marines) out here once a quarter if it were possible.”
Local youth achieve; now ‘Young Marines’ By Lance Cpl. Orrin G. Farmer
CAMP PENDLETON — Local youth earned the title of Young Marines after several weekends of training in a ceremony held at the base theater on Aug. 10. The Eagle Young Marines is a drug demand reduction program that is sponsored by the Marine Corps League and open to boys and girls from ages 8 to 18. The program promotes academics,physical fitness and character development in its members through training and leadership activities. “The recruit training and the Eagle Young Marines also help kids develop hope and confidence,” said Patti Siegmann, the executive officer for the Eagle Young Marines. The Eagle Young Marines
Eagle Young Marines form up in a column in preparation for their graduation ceremony held at the base theater on Aug. 10. Photo by Lance Cpl. Orrin G. Farmer
program graduated 13 youth members into its ranks on Saturday. “The toughest thing in the world today is to gain good morals and good character,” said Dwayne Siegmann, the
commanding officer of the Eagle Young Marines. “That is the most important thing that we continuously focus on in the Eagle Young Marine program.” The program is designed
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to help develop these young kids to become productive members of the community Dwayne continued. The guest speaker of the graduation and supporter of the program was Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood. “This is an education, what you’re doing out there in person. This makes you a better person,” said Wood. “(Young Marines) certainly makes you a better citizen.” The program shares similarities with the Marine Corps. It allows youth to progress through ranks and grow in their abilities, said Patti. “This program is terrific because it gives kids a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow and serve their community,” said Patti. For more information visit EagleYoungMarines.org.
SPECIAL KIDS GO SURFING Jasmine, 9, rides a boogie-board with a volunteer from Orange County Best Day Foundation at the Exceptional Family Member Program Best Day Beach Event at Del Mar Beach on Aug. 3. Exceptional Family Member Program participants and volunteers with the Orange County Best Day Foundation spent the day surfing, body boarding and kayaking in an effort to build self-esteem and confidence in children. Photo by Cpl. Sarah Wolff-Diaz