USMC’s 1st Recon conducts breaching exercise

The US Marine Corps’ (USMC) 1st Reconnaissance Battalion personnel have conducted Methods of Entry proficiency training exercise at the Camp Pendleton base in California.

The exercise, involving customised raid scenarios to maintain the Marines in an operational outlook, was aimed at honing their expertise for future deployments as the Maritime Raid Force (MRF) for the Marine Expeditionary Units.

Reconnaissance Battalion training cell training officer sergeant Jonson Oimoen said that frequently providing this kind of training keeps Marines familiar and up to speed on current methods and procedures.

"We’re trying to give Marines the opportunity to take part in training like this every three months, or at least that’s the goal," Oimoen added.

"It’s one of those things that you never want to be rusty on."

The exercise, mainly intended to look for new ways to get better when executing breach, comprised explosive and ballistic violations to doorways and rooftops, while thermal, explosive, ballistic and mechanical violations can also be deployed in the event of a raid.

Reconnaissance Marines allotted to the MRF make use of a range of complex skill sets that require consistent training to preserve a level of accuracy and quality, which make them capable of meeting the requirement of Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) as a MRF.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion training cell training officer sergeant Mike Pacheco said that attention to detail in every aspect of training ultimately ensures mission accomplishment.

"When we go to breach a building during a raid to look for a high value target or individual, we can’t afford to make mistakes," Pacheco added.

"We make sure we know every step with and without gear or breaching equipment to ensure everyone’s safety and to make sure we get the HVT or HVI."

1st Reconnaissance Battalion trains its Marines in a bid to support MEUs as a Maritime Raid Force as per the commander’s intent.

"We’re always looking for new ways to get better when executing any kind of breach," Oimoen added.

"Training up for a deployment with a MEU starts with continuing to build on methods that are tried and true."

Image: A Marine from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion firing breaching rounds into a door hinge during the exercise. Photo: Courtesy of Lance corporal Seth Starr.

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