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First HIMARS live-fire training in Australia

August 17, 2019

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, a part of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, participated in Exercise Southern Reach, a live-fire training exercise at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Australia from 13-15 August.

The HIMARS Marines fired two Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System munitions, known as GMLRS, in Australia for the first time ever. The live-fire training conducted was over an area of 3,282 square miles.

HIMARS is participating in MRF-D for the first time. These Marines and equipment provide MRF-D an extended range precision strike capability that can further shape the battlespace.

“These being the first GMLRS in Australia to be shot, I felt honored to have that opportunity,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Daniel Pavelka, one of the HIMARS Marines a part of the exercise.

Not only were two GIMLRS munition shot, there were multiple rounds of Reduced Range Practice Rocket shot from each M241 HIMARS truck.

“These being the first GMLRS in Australia to be shot, I felt honored to have that opportunity,” U.S. Marine Cpl. Daniel Pavelka, one of the HIMARS Marines a part of the exercise.

The MRF-D Marines with the battery set a precedent for HIMARS in Australia and enjoyed training in a new environment.

“This training was especially good because maneuvering a 24,000 pound M241 HIMARS truck through the thick brush terrain was not an easy task,” said Cpl. Alex Scholl, an M241 HIMARS driver.

Southern Reach had three M241 HIMARS trucks; each was paired with a gun truck, better known as a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, mounted with an M240 machine gun operating the training area.

From the insert to extract, the HIMARS Marines with MRF-D conducted multiple fire missions, shot two GMLRS rounds, and enjoyed training in the heat of Australia’s Northern Territory dry-season.

The Marines went to Bradshaw Field Training Area with the mindset to train hard during the exercise and executed well.