b'The Ordnance BombMechanical Mind Continued directfirealongwiththeemploy-mentofsmallarmsandmachine gunfire;ataskthathasnotbeen performedorrecordedby1/11in 15 years. TheOrdnanceMarinesof 1/11 enthusiastically stepped up to support the training with technical knowledge in the Baseline Zeroing, positioning, and employment of the machineguns(2131sand2111s are trained to perform each others jobs for diversity). Lance Corporal VazquezandLanceCorporalTor-resprovidedcrucialoperatorlevel trainingto300+artillerymenpri-or to the live fire event. This train-ing was key to ensuring the opera-tors understood weapon condition codesandmalfunctionreaction drills, which later paid off.Oncetheeventstartedthe gremlinsthatplaguetheM2A1s showedtheirSLAcoveredfaces,LCpl Juan L. Vazquez (Left) and LCpl Juventino J. Torres (Right) within50roundsfired,operatorsstand with an M2A1 Machine Guncould be heard running the weap- rines found was sagging bolt latch- Oncetheflameofsuccess ons through remedial action drills.es (caused by loose tolerances andand confidence is ignited, it spreads After three attempts to fix the stop- overtightenedroundnutsonthelike wildfire. This was evident when pagethe0811swereinstructedtoeccentricpins),loosebreechlockBravo 1/10 experienced similar issues callforArmorersupport.Withacams with faulty safety wire retain- withtheirweaponswhiletraining gun line that stretched over 600 me- ing the castle nut to the breech lockinTwentyninePalms.1/10induct-ters,theArmorersof1/11hastilycam bolt, and defective breech locksed their M2A1s into CLB-7 and the movedfrommachineguntoma- that were deformed and beaten intoIMA performed all necessary main-chine gun, assessing stoppages andthe barrel extensions. Piece by piece,tenance to ensure the safe operation providingwhatevermaintenancethe guns were completely disassem- of the weapons during the course of support that they were authorized tobledandrepairedtothetechnicaltraining, Bravo 1/10 then went on to perform while in the field in ordermanual specifications and associat- complete the entire training exercise to limp the guns along.ed technical inspections and the re- without M2A1 mechanical failures.Determined no to let a ma- sults were well worth the work. ForThe excellence that we expect chine gun best the knowledge of athe rest of the training exercise themust be the excellence that we pro-2111 with an E7900 and a technicalM2A1s did not experience any oth- vide in order to drive the community manual, the guns were inducted intoer mechanical malfunction. This isforward and create the next genera-maintenance at CLB-7. Managed bya true testament that the programstion of leaders. WO Graces humble Warrant Officer Kevin Jones, a 2110in place can be interpreted and im- opinion: I would say its safe to as-with the reputation as a true Ord- plementedinrealworldscenario,sume the future of our community nanceSME,welcomed1/11withallowingjuniorMarineswithlessis in good hands as long as the Staff readily available tool kits and a will- than one year time in the fleet, to benoncommissioned Officers and Non ingnesstofigureouttheailmentssuccessfulinperformingtheirdu- Commissionedofficerscontinueto of the guns. What the CLB-7 Ma- ties. breed excellence in all that we do.6 Custodis Pro Ferrum22 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine HJuly 2021H Thank You For Your Service'