First Marine HIMARS Provides New Battlefield Capabilities

US Marine Corps, AL TAQADDUM, Iraq: What’s the biggest difference between your truck and theirs? For starters, a couple tons. But then, there’s the rockets. Theirs have rockets. 
 
With the Corps’ new High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, the Marines of Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, provide an alternative to conventional air support, which requires time for an aircraft to be prepared and deployed. 
 
“There are inherent risks anytime you send aviation out there,” said 1st Lt. Leon T. Lipka, a platoon commander with the battery. “That’s one less life that you’re putting at risk.” 
 
Prior to HIMARS, Marines in Al Anbar Province relied on the Army, who had the only such system at the time, to provide the quick solution. But since last July, the Oklahoma reservists became the first Marine Corps unit to use the HIMARS in Iraq. 
 
HIMARS is like a cannon battery on wheels. When needed, the 5-ton trucks assume their position, lock onto their target and fire multiple rockets until it is eliminated. 
 
Firing missiles guided by global [positioning] technology, the first Marine employment of HIMARS in Al Anbar Province since the war began in 2003, destroyed a heavily booby-trapped weapons cache. 
 
The battery took action on a second target only a month ago, when a special forces unit called for a strike on a building where an enemy meeting was taking place. Lipka said 10 rounds demolished the building, killing 25 enemy combatants and assisting in the capture of 47 more. 
 
“For the units that are going out there and doing named missions or things that develop rather quickly, it’s a nice tool in their tool bag,” said the Elizabeth, Colo., native. “We can (eliminate a target) and not worry about taking out the schoolhouse next to it. It’s extremely accurate and the collateral damage the round expends is extremely low.” 
 
The battery commander said that in both instances, their rockets were “on time and on target,” an outcome assured, in his mind, by the proficiency of his highly specialized Marines. 
 
“We’ve proven our capability,” said Lt. Col. Raymond E. Taylor, a Vernon, Fla., native. “We’ve got three kinds. We’ve got the brawn, which is the shooters, the brains are the (fire direction control) and the communicators for the eyes and ears.” 
 
A representative for the “eyes and ears,” Lance Cpl. James E. Smith, works with the battery as a data system operator. The Elk City, Okla., native said the cohesion within the unit, with many hailing from that same state, enables them to share the satisfaction they get from their work. 
 
“We take pride in what we do and what we bring to the table,” said Smith. “It’s just an honor to be over here serving my country and being a part of Fox Battery and part of a new weapons system for the Marine Corps.” 
 
HIMARS can fire all current and future missiles that fall under the multiple launch rocket system munitions family. But with recent stability in the province, the battery hasn’t fired much at all. Lipka underscored the bright side of their slow business. 
 
“Kind of like the fire department,” said Lipka. “Those guys spend a lot of time practicing to do their job. You hope you never need them, but when you do you’re sure glad you have them.”