1st CEB Demolishes Range 119

LCpl Alex Gonzales, 20, a supply administration clerk from Bakersfield, Calif., fires the M2 .50 caliber machine gun while Sgt Matthew King, 24, a sapper instructor from Smithfield, Va., acts as an assistant gunner during crew served weapons training, Aug. 20. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion were taught how to properly operate, maintain and take apart the weapon. 1st CEB is currently conducting Enhanced Mojave Viper, a pre-deployment training evolution used to prepare Marines for Afghanistan. Gonzales will be part of a personal security detachment for the battalion commander once in Afghanistan.

Sgt Matthew King, 24, a sapper instructor from Smithfield, Va., handles .50 caliber machine-gun bullets during crew served weapons training, Aug. 20. Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion were taught how to properly operate, maintain and take apart the M2 .50 Caliber machine-gun.

Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion exit a bunker after detonating a line of explosives during demolition training at range 119, Aug. 21.

Sgt Joshua Gagnon, 23, an ammunition technician from Strafford, N.H., prepares to set up an expedient bangalore charge during demolition training at range 119, Aug. 21.

Pfc Kenji Kamara, 20, an administrative clerk from Bowie, Md., fires the M2 .50 Caliber machinegun during crew served weapons training, Aug. 20.

Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion make sure det cord is tied together properly prior to detonating a series of charges during demolition training at range 119.

LCpl Omar Vallejo, 21, a dog handler from Los Angeles, prepares a linear detonation charge used to cut doors in half during demolition training at range 119, Aug. 21.

Sgt Matthew Mueller, 26, a sapper instructor from Humboldt, Kansas, passes out strands of det cord to Marines during demolition training at range 119, Aug. 21.