Recon Marine surveys assault area
Recon Marine surveys assault area
Lance Cpl. Chris Christensen, a force reconnaissance Marine with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, works to find the beach’s gradient during a hydrographic reconnaissance training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimanalo, Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2011. “We are the tool our generals use to determine the geographical makeup of the land,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Weissman, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Platoon, 4th Force. “Before he makes the decision to execute a mission, the beach’s gradient has to be surveyed. We come in clandestinely at night and make an underwater map of the beach for him.” Following a real-life mission, the data they collect — such as the size and frequency of wave crests, sediment type and slope of the beach — allows unit commanders to determine what type of landing and vehicles the beach’s composite supports, said Weissman, from Las Vegas. Original public domain image from Flickr