An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Ensuring freedom: Marines hone combat capabilities

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The sounds of falling leaves and chirps from native birds that live on Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, Wedgefield, South Carolina Cold fill the brisk air. As the fog rolls in, silhouettes of Marines rising from their tents can be seen in the distance. Though the Marines are not native to the area like the wildlife, for a week they will call the range home.

The Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, participated in a week-long exercise at Poinsett to hone their combat capabilities in a simulated deployed environment, Dec. 7 - 14.

Comprised of motor transportation personnel, engineers, food specialists, U.S. Navy Corpsmen, and various other specialties, MWSS 273's mission is to provide essential ground support to a designated fixed wing component of a marine aviation combat element, and to support all of the attached elements of a marine air control group with the resources they need to fuel the fight.

"The reason we have to train is because skills deteriorate over time," said Lt. Col. Phillip Schendler, MWSS 273 commander. "We have to train with what we have available so that we can be ready when the Marine Corps or the nation calls."

Throughout the week the unit performed vehicle convoys, set up a helicopter landing pad, and assisted the range with performing maintenance, all while defending the base from the simulated enemy "Red Cell" positioned about a mile away from the camp.

"We came out here to test the capabilities of MWSS 273's air base defense team," said Capt. Rodney Burks, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 logistics officer. "We attacked at all times throughout the day and night to check the responses to better prepare them for when they have to deploy."

When tasked with a deployment, the air base defense team - a group of augmented marines from the squadron - will defend the base from enemy attacks in that deployed environment.

"This training prepares you for combat," said Staff Sgt. Dwayne Adams, MWSS 273 senior enlisted infantry advisor. "Somewhere out there someone is training to hurt, injure, or kill you; training helps prepare us for that."

Coming out to the range to train allowed the unit to determine what they need to work on, what their proficient at, and what they are capable of.

"Just like everything in life, the more you practice the better you get," said Burks. "Training is good for the unit, it's good for the Marine Corps, and it's good for America."

The week-long exercise ended with a warrior's breakfast where all the troops were treated to a warm meal and some words from their commander.

"I'm very proud of everything they did out here this week," said Schendler. "I feel like we are leaving the field this week better prepared, smarter, and more capable of completing the mission than we were when we got here."

The fog lifts and the Marines begin to pack the tents they have called home for the past week. They pile onto a bus one by one, saying farewell to Poinsett, and looking forward to a night in their own beds.