Tim Day, along with fellow Marine veteran Jim Kitchel and HBS Fellowship recipients Blake Rice and Dan Burton traveled to Twentynine Palms, CA on October 1st and 2nd to visit the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) – where Tim had served more than 50 years ago. Upon arrival, they spent the evening at the O’Club with friends of Blake sharing beer, hamburgers, and sea stories.
The Base Staff put together a comprehensive tour of training facilities and capabilities as well as the significant investments in infrastructure. The day started with breakfast in the 7th Marine chow hall followed by a visit to the 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance vehicle ramp to see and climb into LAVs. Next came a safety brief from Range Control before departing to the field – first to Range 220, a massive MOUT town for urban ops training. Then they headed to a mountain side where a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) was conducting an exercise involving mortar fire, artillery, and close air support. Next, they visited an artillery battery where they observed the Fire Direction Center (FDC) and gun line in operation. As a 777 canon crew pointed out major features of the weapon while waiting for the next mission, two F-18 aircraft made a surprise low level “fly over” – and the roar of their engines startled everyone. Then, the entire battery was given authorization to fire a spectacular three volley “fire for effect” mission. The afternoon was capped off by visiting the First Tank Battalion and getting briefed on the M1A1 Abrams Tank, and then they squeezed into the cramped crew quarters – what a weapon!
At the close of business, our tired and dirty gang returned to a very crowded O’Club to share some libation and good cheer with the Base Commanding Officer, Major General Lewis Craparotta, and a large contingent of officers. The evening ended with a lively dinner with a group of company grade officers at the 29 Palms Inn. Overall, this proved to be an unforgettable experience – and Tim got to relive numerous memories in his old stomping ground.