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Marines prepare for week-long exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  To better their combat capabilities, troops assigned to the 273rd Marine Wing Support Squadron stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, came to Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, Wedgefield, S.C., Dec. 7.

Approximately 50 Marines set up communication systems, tents, sleeping quarters, and a chow hall in preparation of the exercise.

"Our mission is to support the aviation units from the ground," said Marine 1st Lt. Seve Aguinaga, 273rd MWSS assistant operations officer. "All the ground support they need including fueling, general engineering services, all their food, medical support, all those types of activities they need on the ground we train for those tasks."

More than 250 Marines will train in a simulated deployed environment performing various operations such as vehicle convoys, simulated crash and recovery missions, and refueling of helicopters.

"Our overall objective is to practice different warfighting tactics and to simulate training as if we were in an actual hostile environment," said Marine Sgt. Darrius Smith, 273rd MWSS food service specialist.

The seven day exercise will test their combat capabilities to see how they perform under stressful situations. The training ends Dec. 14.