US Marines and Australian troops are finding new ways to train on each other's weapons

Lance Cpl. Alexandria Nowell, US Marine CorpsMay 5, 2020, 19:41 IST

US Marines and Australian Defence Force service members shoot an M4 carbine on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020.US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

Even with coronavirus-related limits on personnel exchanges in place, Marines and Australia troops are still finding ways to get familiar with each other's weaponry.
"Our ability to understand each other's capabilities is paramount, and that's one of the main reasons we have" Marines rotate through Darwin, said Maj. Johnathon Ronayne, Australian Defence Force Marine Corps liaison.
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ROBERTSON BARRACKS, DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia — Click. Click. Pop. A slight vibration sent though the shoulder. Focus on the next moving target. Pop. One more to go. Pop. Unload show clear. "End of Scenario" fades in white letters as the screen goes black.

US Marines with Marine Rotational Force — Darwin and Australian service members familiarized themselves with each other's weapon systems while training in the Weapons Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, Northern Territory, April 29.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has halted the full MRF-D rotation until later this year, US and Australian service members have worked to find new ways to stay ready and capable as an interoperable fighting force.

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"In my opinion, the WTSS does a great job of putting you in a scenario where you have to think on your feet," Lance Cpl. Samuel Pekula, a landing support specialist with MRF-D, stated. "I believe it captures the unpredictability that a lot of training just doesn't have."

Australian Army Maj. Johnathon Ronayne, an Australian Defence Force US Marine Corps liaison, refills simulation magazines at Robertson Barracks, April 29, 2020. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

"In my opinion, the WTSS does a great job of putting you in a scenario where you have to think on your feet," Lance Cpl. Samuel Pekula, a landing support specialist with MRF-D, stated. "I believe it captures the unpredictability that a lot of training just doesn't have."

The WTSS can be compared to the US Marines Corps Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer — Enhanced. The ISMT-E, like the WTSS, allows troops to practice shooting and live-fire scenarios indoors before ever firing live ammunition.

US Marines and Australian Defence Force service members shoot the M4 carbine on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

The WTSS can be compared to the US Marines Corps Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer — Enhanced. The ISMT-E, like the WTSS, allows troops to practice shooting and live-fire scenarios indoors before ever firing live ammunition.

"In order for us to properly follow the guidelines, they are having us in every other space which is about 6 feet, probably a little bit more, between each shooter to better distance ourselves and still get effective training in," states Cpl. Nitselly Henriquez, an administrative specialist with MRF-D. "We are being especially mindful about cleaning the weapons off as we use them and not passing them off to each other."

US Marine Corps Cpl. Isaiah Fraser, a data system administrator with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, shoots an M4 carbine at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

"In order for us to properly follow the guidelines, they are having us in every other space which is about 6 feet, probably a little bit more, between each shooter to better distance ourselves and still get effective training in," states Cpl. Nitselly Henriquez, an administrative specialist with MRF-D. "We are being especially mindful about cleaning the weapons off as we use them and not passing them off to each other."

When a loud voice says, "I need two for the drill coming next!" Marines and Australian soldiers step up and load one magazine. "Scenario Begins" appears on the screen. It's go time again. Target is acquired. Pop.

US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Neilryan Sablan, the administration chief with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, coaches U.S. Marines and Australian Defence Force service members through shooting the M4 carbine at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

When a loud voice says, "I need two for the drill coming next!" Marines and Australian soldiers step up and load one magazine. "Scenario Begins" appears on the screen. It's go time again. Target is acquired. Pop.

Beyond just familiarization, the Marines integrated the M4 carbine with the WTSS for the first time. Ronayne said testing the M4 in the WTSS is a new capability which "gives us a broad cross section to allow us to continue to train, which is especially important in this day and age."

US Marines and Australian Defence Force service members shoot an M4 carbine on the Weapons Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

Beyond just familiarization, the Marines integrated the M4 carbine with the WTSS for the first time. Ronayne said testing the M4 in the WTSS is a new capability which "gives us a broad cross section to allow us to continue to train, which is especially important in this day and age."

"Our ability to understand each other's capabilities is paramount, and that's one of the main reasons we have the MRF-D as a rotation," said Maj. Johnathon Ronayne, Australian Defence Force liaison to MRF-D.

An Australian Army soldier shoots an M4 carbine on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020. US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood

"Our ability to understand each other's capabilities is paramount, and that's one of the main reasons we have the MRF-D as a rotation," said Maj. Johnathon Ronayne, Australian Defence Force liaison to MRF-D.

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US Marines and Australian troops are finding new ways to train on each other's weapons

"In my opinion, the WTSS does a great job of putting you in a scenario where you have to think on your feet," Lance Cpl. Samuel Pekula, a landing support specialist with MRF-D, stated. "I believe it captures the unpredictability that a lot of training just doesn't have."

The WTSS can be compared to the US Marines Corps Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer — Enhanced. The ISMT-E, like the WTSS, allows troops to practice shooting and live-fire scenarios indoors before ever firing live ammunition.

When a loud voice says, "I need two for the drill coming next!" Marines and Australian soldiers step up and load one magazine. "Scenario Begins" appears on the screen. It's go time again. Target is acquired. Pop.

Beyond just familiarization, the Marines integrated the M4 carbine with the WTSS for the first time. Ronayne said testing the M4 in the WTSS is a new capability which "gives us a broad cross section to allow us to continue to train, which is especially important in this day and age."

"Our ability to understand each other's capabilities is paramount, and that's one of the main reasons we have the MRF-D as a rotation," said Maj. Johnathon Ronayne, Australian Defence Force liaison to MRF-D.