MARINE CORPS OUTLYING FIELD ATLANTIC, N.C. -- More than 100 Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corp Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., participated in Exercise Lagoon Breach at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C., Feb. 20-27.
The exercise was conducted to hone the Marines ability to conduct command post operations and exercise tactical command and control.
The integrated exercise included Marine Aircraft Group 14, Marine Unmanned Ariel Vehicle Squadron 2, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 and Marine Tactical Air Communications Squadron 28, all of which are preparing for an upcoming Integrated Training Exercise in May 2016.
During Lagoon Breach, the squadrons completed various tasks including conducting unmanned ariel flights, engineering, providing field mess, transport and convoy support and contributed tactical voice and data capabilities.
“Lagoon Breach is an exercise developed to train Marines to become proficient in core mission essential tasks,” said Maj. Gregory Sands, the assistant operations officer for the exercise. “This exercise is part of the crawl, walk, and run process that MAG-14 leadership has implemented to prepare Marines to act as the aviation combat element in an upcoming deployment.”
Although the Marines are always training, training in the field provides them with real life examples of how operations will be once deployed, explained Sands.
“This is a unique opportunity for Marines who are typically attached to a non-deployable headquarters unit,” said Sands. “During the exercise, the Marines were able to deploy to the field and practice their field expediency.”
In addition to field mess Marines and heavy equipment Marines, supply Marines played a pivotal role in the success and completion of the exercise, according to Lance Cpl. Sonia Loyola, a supply administration and operations specialist with MAG-14.
“Supply Marines helped the Marines complete their mission by supplying them with everything they need,” said Loyola. “Initially we helped set up tents and prepared everything; when the main body arrived they immediately started training.”
According to Loyola, this was her fist time training in the field. She said she believes field exercises are important because they prepare Marines for what to expect when they deploy.
“I’m looking forward to the next field exercise,” said Loyola. “All of the Marines are sharing the experience of being out in the field together and getting away from the daily grind, which helps build unit camaraderie.”