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Sgt. Patrick S. Putt, the assault section leader with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Nashville, Tenn., native, cuts detonation cord during demolition range training ashore near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 10, 2011. The assualtmen spent a day refreshing their skills on basic demolitions. The 22nd MEU is currently deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) as the U.S. Central Command theatre reserve force, also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson

Echo Marines Have a Blast

10 Oct 2011 | Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted demolitions training while ashore near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, October 10.

The Marines spent a day refreshing their skills on basic demolitions capabilities and employment.

“It was our first time pulling together as a section and doing our job: demolitions,” said Lance Cpl. Brandyn S. Burke, an assault section squad leader with Echo Company, and Phoenix native.

During the range, the Marines lined engineer stakes with C4 explosives to make field expedient Bangalore’s, used to clear obstacles. They lined the bottom of ammunition cans with C4 and shrapnel to make grape shot, which acts as a field expedient claymore. A claymore is a command-detonated, antipersonnel mine that fires shrapnel.   

“I wanted to build everyone’s confidence with demolitions,” said Sgt. Patrick S. Putt, the assault section leader with Echo Company, and Nashville, Tenn., native.

They also connected TNT using an electrical circuit and practiced employing, aiming, and detonating claymores.

“I love working with demolitions,” said Burke. “We definitely got plenty of it going on that range.”
Echo Company used this training to give Marines more experience and confidence using explosives.

“I’m happy we did it,” said Putt. “It lets me know that if we did it again the Marines will know how it’s run.”
The training was considered a success as the Marines gained valuable experience and had a good time.

“I had a blast,” said Staff Sgt. Eugene J. Carle Jr., the weapons platoon, platoon sergeant with Echo Company and Manito, Ill., native.  

The 22nd MEU is currently deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) as the U.S. Central Command theatre reserve force, also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.