MARINES GET LIVE-FIRE TRAINING AT COMBAT CENTER

April 17, 2021

Marines get into position for an attack at Range 400 on the Combat Center in Twentynine Palms. (By Lance Cpl. Gustavo Romero U.S. Marine Corps)

The Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center has 930 square miles of desert which is used to provide realistic training for troops. Managing editor Tami Roleff says the Combat Center’s Range 400 is used to train Marines in the techniques and procedures for fighting enemies who are peers, or near-peers, of US forces…

“During the training, we are going up against the same type of capabilities that we ourselves have. So things like mortars, heavy machine guns, and integrating all those in order to allow the maneuver to get to that last 100 yards.”

Machine gunners prepare for firing at Range 400 on the Combat Center in Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 3-21. (By Lance Cpl. Gustavo Romero U.S. Marine Corps)

Sgt. Allen Barmgardner a platoon leader from 1^st platoon in 1^st Bn, 5^th Marines, Bravo Company, said the Integrated Training Exercise 3-21 gives Marines training in fire support and motorized fire and movement exercises.

Some of the exercises in ITX include reacting to simulated ambushes, IED strikes, and simulated injuries from hostile attacks.