8/27/2013 -- CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Approximately 200 Marines from 1st Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted an ammunition resupply exercise aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 16-30, 2013.
“The goal of this exercise is to support 1st Marine Expeditionary Force units and exercise Ammunition Company’s capabilities in a forward deployed environment,” said Capt. Christopher M. Lamson, commanding officer with Ammunition Company, 1st Supply Bn.
There was no room for error in the complex, two-week exercise.
“We brought 100,000 pounds or approximately 300 pallets of ammunition,” said Lamson, a native of Port Arthur, Texas. “In order to conduct resupply operations and maintain 100 percent accountability, there are checks and balances in place and the inventory is also on a web based server for cross-referencing and to ensure that the numbers are correct.”
Multiple trucks transported ammunition to forward areas to be used by the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, during their training exercises.
Much of the success of the training operation stemmed from the effort that 1st Supply Battalion’s leadership put into the planning phase. Two crucial concerns were the ammunition requirements and finding a suitable area for the exercise.
“The first part of the planning process was identifying ammunition requirements,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Ruegger, officer-in-charge with 1st Supply Bn. “It was challenging. We had to use historical data and forecast the amount of ammunition units use.”
The second part was finding an area within Camp Pendleton where ammunition could be staged without hindering traffic routes or conflicting with other training exercises, said Ruegger, a native of Spartanburg, S.C.
The planning process for an ammunition resupply exercise usually takes six months, but the Marines of 1st Supply Bn. were able to form a successful plan within two months.
“Getting all the key players involved seemed like an uphill battle with the timeframe, but with the help of the leadership and battalion staff, we were able to make this exercise happen,” said Ruegger
At the ground level, the exercise provided the Marines with good experience and knowledge.
“It’s good to do this type of training because it gives Marines a chance to learn what it’s like to set up a field resupply point and to have bad work hours in an austere environment,” said Sgt. Antonio G. Marrero, platoon sergeant and guard chief with 1st Supply Bn. “It helps Marines prepare for the nation’s next big war.”