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Photo 1 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), focus downrange during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The unknown distance course was part of bilateral training with the 3rd Infantry French Marines Sniper Platoon. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 2 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Joshua Gray, Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, watches the range through a scope at an unknown distance course during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, Arta Plage, Djibouti. The range practice was part of bilateral training with the 3rd Infantry French Marines Sniper Platoon. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 3 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Joshua Gray, Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), speaks with the 3rd Infantry French Marines’ Sniper Platoon during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The Marines participated in an unknown distance course as a part of bilateral training with the French. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 4 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps mortarmen, Weapons Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire a white phosphorous M722A1 round from a M224 60mm Lightweight Company Mortar System during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The M722A1 rounds, weighing just under four pounds, can be used for spotting or marking a target area with a smoke cloud. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 5 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), communicate with players on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. On the ground, ANGLICO is tasked to communicate and coordinate with air or naval gunfire assets, as well as provide situational updates of target sites during their bombardment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 6 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct and monitor range operations during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. Coordination with participating assets ensures safety and provides situational updates of events on the range. Marines from the 11th MEU are temporarily training in the area. (U.S. Air National Guard photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy) (Image edited for operational security)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 7 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps mortarmen, Weapons Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe M721 illumination rounds fired from a M224 60mm Lightweight Company Mortar System during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. Once the M721 round is ignited, it produces visible light for situations like night operations or day and nighttime signaling. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 8 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), hike a hillside while light armored vehicles traverse the range during events of exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows the MEU to get off ship and conduct combat sustainment training to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 9 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
French Marine Capt. A, 6th Support Company commander, and U.S. Marine Corps members with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), discuss the events to occur on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 10 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), wait to communicate with players during a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 11 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, wait to for a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 12 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps light armored vehicles, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), traverse the range during events of exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows the MEU to get off ship and conduct combat sustainment training to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 13 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, watch an UH-1Y Huey helicopter fly over after a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 14 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
A UH-1Y Huey helicopter flies over the range after a helo-borne raid during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 15 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
A UH-1Y Huey helicopter flies over the range after a helo-borne raid during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
Photo 16 of 16
Bilateral training during Exercise Alligator Dagger
U.S. Marine Corps members with the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, watch a Super Cobra attack helicopter fly over after a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy
ARTA, Djibouti – The Arta Plage training grounds were quickly filled with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) members during amphibious landings from Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), earlier this month, near Djibouti. Once on shore, the Marines wasted no time initiating training events associated with the month long Exercise Alligator Dagger.
One group taking advantage of the training opportunities was the 1st Bn., 4th Marines (BLT 1/4), Scout Sniper Platoon. These Marines participated in bilateral training with the 3rd Infantry French Marines Sniper Platoon, simultaneously shooting an unknown distance course.
U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Joshua Gray, Scout Sniper Platoon, BLT 1/4, 11th MEU, said that working with the French was a phenomenal opportunity.
“Getting to see how they do their range estimations and how they do their wind calls shows us different ways of doing business,” said Gray. “I think it’s great.”
With a large portion of MEU members’ time being spent on ship, Gray was pleased to have even a limited amount of time to train on dry ground. The French ranges accommodated targets from 250 to 900 yards for the training.
“The time that we’ve been here has been really good,” said Gray. “This is training that we just don’t get to do on ship. Having a range that allows us to stretch out our long guns is only possible when we have the physical space.”
The French are selectively conducting training alongside Marines during the time they are present at Arta Plage.
The Dagger Alligator Exercise provided the 11th MEU and the Makin Island ARG a chance to conduct training that keeps them ready for missions on land, air, or sea.
