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A member from the Employee Reserve Support Group in Rochester, N.Y. takes aim during a mock convoy op this spring at Camp Upshur in the Virtual Convoy Combat Trainer. The VCCT helps simulate combat operations using preinstalled maps of terrain in Iraq.

Photo by Tiffiney Wertz

Camp Upshur welcomes all units for training

10 Jul 2014 | Tiffiney Wertz Marine Corps Base Quantico

About 10 miles past the Ponderosa Gate, empty roads snuggled between thousands of acres of training and live-fire ranges, sits Camp Upshur on the grounds of what was, in 1942, the home to The Officer Candidates School.

Since 2008 a hi-tech, training area exists for reservists, active duty Marines and non-military, government-agency personnel to experience various aspects of combat training. From the virtual convoy combat trainer, indoor simulated marksmanship trainer, the Humvee egress assistance trainer and the MRAP egress trainer.

Camp Upshur can be a great place to train, said Jeremy Meerscheidt, site supervisor for Tatitlek Training Services Inc. Tatitlek is the company who provides maintenance and operations for the simulators.

The VCCT helps simulate combat operations using preinstalled maps of terrain in Iraq. The ISMT is an interactive simulator that helps improve small arms training. The HEAT and MRAP help Marines learn how to react in the event their HUMVEE rolls over.

"A lot of Mainside doesn’t know we’re out here," he said. "As long as there’s a group of at least 12 individuals, we will conduct training."

Meerscheidt said on average 8–12 groups visit Camp Upshur monthly and groups who want to conduct training do not have to be Marines. However, because Camp Upshur is primarily used for reserve units, they have priority over other groups that want to schedule training.

"Out here Marines can experience all the basics of training without worrying about snow, heat and rain. We can operate in any type of weather," said Jeremy Meerscheidt.

Units that want to schedule a visit to Camp Upshur should call range control at 703-784-6412. Non-military groups who want to schedule a visit should contact the base visit coordinator at 703-784-5568.

— Writer: twertz@quanticosentryonline.com

 


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