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1st, 4th Force Recon Combine
Efforts for Kernel Blitz-99
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON,
Calif. (Apr 22, 1999) -- Marines from 1st Force Reconnaissance
Company recently participated in static-line and free-fall
parachute jumps in preparation of Kernel Blitz-99.
But something was different during the routine last-minute
checks before boarding the aircraft - a bunch of new
faces.
Members of 4th Platoon were joined
for workups and the exercise by 13 Marines and a corpsman
from 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine
Division, a reserve unit from Reno, Nev.
"Its great to have them here
with us," said Maj. Frank Donovan, platoon commander.
"Recon Marines are recon Marines, so they will
fit right in. Its just a matter of getting used to
each other as a unit." Members of the combined
platoon had six days to train together before the
start of the exercise.
"Combining combat tactics and
techniques is another benefit to the union,"
he said. "We can show them how we operate and
vice versa. It should be a learning experience for
everyone."
"It's additional training for
the Marines of 4th Force", SSgt. Andrew Kratz
said. "Because of our job, we exceed the minimum
requirements as reservists each year by going to different
schools all of the time. But we jump on opportunities
like this to interact with other Force Marines on
different terrains than were use to. This is unique
to us, plus its always more fun when you don't know
what's out there."
"The Marines are being integrated
and the platoon broken down into four five-man teams
that will be inserted at different times and into
different areas of the base," said SSgt. Ty Barnes,
platoon sergeant. "Two teams will go in about
four days ahead to provide early reconnaissance. The
second two will relieve them to finish the exercise."
"Once the first team has been
relieved, members will conduct unit training by performing
counter-reconnaissance against the other team valuable
training for the Marines of 4th Force because it will
allow for maneuvers outside of their training schedule",
Donovan said.
"First Force is testing new equipment
and technologies that may be foreign to the Marines
of 4th." Barnes said. "We have new gear
that hasn't been issued to the (Fleet Marine Force),
like high-frequency radios that these Marines probably
haven't seen yet. But well get to interact with (them)
for a couple of weeks."
End User Terminals new items rapidly
gaining recognition through Kernel Blitz demonstrations
might also be used.
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