MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271’s Engineer Company
participated in a cantonment and capabilities field exercise at Marine Corps
Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, Dec. 9, to practice and improve their knowledge
of their jobs while in a deployed environment.
During the weeklong exercise, the Marines rehearsed airfield
damage repair, water purification, medium and heavy lifting missions and the
construction of an expedient road and vertical take-off and landing aircraft
pad.
The Marines learned how to effectively and proficiently set up a
camp and survive on what was provided to them; they purified their own water,
and set up their showers and living quarters, explained Staff Sgt. Mark R.
Brinson, an engineer assistant with MWSS-271.
“This exercise is designed to test the capabilities of Engineer
Company before we deploy the entire squadron [next year],” said 1st Lt. Samuel R. Houghtling, MWSS-271
operations training officer. “In addition to their roles [state side],
the Marines will gain a better sense of what will be required of them when
deployed in support of the aviation combat element.”
MWSS-271 provides all essential aviation ground support
requirements to a designated fixed-wing component of an ACE and all supporting
or attached elements of the Marine air control group.