CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A rifle company with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit eliminated mock enemy forces here Oct. 4 during the unit’s final exercise before deploying in November.
Company L launched in amphibious assault vehicles from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans and engaged enemy role-players positioned inside of a combat training town.
Sgt. Alex M. Piasecki, a section leader with the company said the training displayed the flexibility and quick reaction of the unit.
“We showed what a Marine expeditionary unit is capable of,” said the 26-year-old Tomball, Texas, native. “From receiving the order, to the time it took to execute the mission, we proved that we could be ready to take the fight to our enemy at a moment's notice.”
The company secured the town building by building, seized weapons and apprehended simulated hostiles.
“The raid went very well,” said Sgt. Jonathan Parker, a 24-year-old Lake Havasu, Ariz., native and squad leader with the company. “The Marines’ quick and deliberate actions enabled us to effectively accomplish our mission.”
Company L is one of three rifle companies with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the unit.
A platoon of tracked vehicles from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif., reinforces the Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. The platoon provides the go-to means of maneuver for Company L.