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Photo Gallery When U.S. combat troops come face to face with the enemy, they may call upon the combined might of artillery, air power and naval guns to shift the tide of battle in their favor.
It is the job of the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to effectively coordinate firepower from different units, military branches and even allied countries in defense of embattled warriors. To prepare for that duty, 2nd ANGLICO, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II MEF, began three days of field training here Nov. 18.
Capt. Dennis Nichols, team leader of Firepower Control Team 4, said such field training is vital to his Marines’ readiness.
“It’s important to us, because we have a lot of sophisticated communications and targeting gear that we need for our job,” said Nichols. “The more we can break it out and stay current on it, the better.”
Any given mission may require a supporting arms liaison team to direct anything from an Apache helicopter to a naval destroyer. The fire-support missions they synchronize can shape the battlefield with capabilities including indirect fire, illumination, mine emplacement and even informational leaflet campaigns.
Yet, the training went beyond reinforcing the Marines’ technical and tactical skills. Members of 2nd ANGLICO also exchanged knowledge by working with elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and 2nd Marine Division’s 8th and 10th Marine Regiments.
“Today has been great,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Clement, a supporting arms liaison chief. “We’re developing some friendships we can keep and letting other units know exactly what we can bring to the fight.”
“It’s good because you get to see how different Marines work,” said Pfc. Kyle Collins, a forward observer with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. “You learn from other people when you see how they do things, and together you can figure out the best way to make it work.”
The increased understanding between 2nd ANGLICO and the fire-support units who they coordinate efforts with will help them work closely in the future. Their mutual training made sure when frontline troops request supporting fire, ANGLICO can make sure they get the help they need.
