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Home on the range: local guard unit trains at JB MDL

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Soldiers from the New Jersey National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, out of Riverdale, N.J., conducted training March 22-24, 2013, at ranges here.

The Soldiers took part in mortar firing training, M16 and M4 rifle qualification and squad live-fire exercises.

"At any given time there is a unit ready to deploy, so this training ensures our readiness for future deployments," said 1st Lt. Roque Rodriguez, 2nd Bn., 113th Inf. Reg., training officer.

Distance plays a major factor in determining why the unit trains here as the ranges are located less than 100 miles from Riverdale.

"Traveling to upstate New York or Virginia would cut into the time we have to train because we only have these Soldiers for 48 hours," Rodriguez said. "This is the best place for us and it's the best resource we have."

First Lt. Patrick Moore, 2nd Bn., 113th Inf. Reg., executive officer from Fanwood, N.J. is in charge of certifying Soldiers on the squad live-fire range and echoed Rodriguez's remarks.

"We appreciate everything the base does to accommodate us," said Moore. "The range control guys who come out here in the field do their best for us. It's a very professional environment."

The joint base ranges also allow units to tackle multiple aspects of training during a single weekend.

"The ranges here provide us with a wide variety of uses," Rodriguez said. "We're able to execute our individual training, such as weapons qualification, and conduct collective training, such as the squad live-fire certification."

The weekend's training was designed to get the greatest results with the least impact on those involved.

"These Soldiers all have full-time jobs, so we want to maximize their time," Rodriguez said. "If we had to leave the area to train we would need these Soldiers for longer, costing the government more, and potentially inconveniencing employers. By using these ranges we are saving time and money and using that time to actually train."

The unit is also aware of the noise generated by deployment training, specifically from mortar round firing, noise which can impact surrounding areas.

"The noise is an inconvenience, but is necessary to maintain the readiness of the force," Rodiguez said.

Residents may hear more noise than usual coming from the ranges and may experience possible ground shaking during training activities. It is important to note that noise from the ranges may travel farther during overcast weather conditions.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst works hard to minimize the impact training has on its surrounding communities and is committed to remaining good neighbors.