Combat Center pushes through ITX summer

Twentynine Palms -- The Integrated Training Exercise, formerly known as Enhanced Mojave Viper and before that the Combined Armed Exercise, is the longest-lasting training exercise that occurs aboard the Combat Center and is comprised of an intense 29-day training cycle involving a series of progressive live-fire exercises that assesses the ability and adaptability of a force of approximately 3,500 active duty or Reserve Fleet Marine Force Personnel.

Marines with 1st Marine Division finished ITX 3-17 June 2 and on June 14 ITX 4-17 will start, allowing Marines from the Reserve Fleet Marine Force to enhance themselves as a force in readiness.
ITX focuses on the application of combined-arms maneuver warfare in the Marine Corps’ largest training installation. As battalions and squadrons progress through the training, they integrate together as a cohesive unit through planning, briefing, rehearsals, execution and debriefing.

Each training iteration spans across the Combat Center’s training area as well as Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. and the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range in Niland, Calif., to enable the units to access the highest echelon of training.

The ITX exercise force for each iteration covers all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. The Ground Combat Element is designed to support two reinforced infantry battalions, the Logistics Combat Element is comprised of a Combat Logistics Regiment Headquarters and either a Combat Logistics Battalion or an Engineer Support Battalion.

The training allows the units to practice scripted exercises as well as afford commanders the ability to employ forces on their own. This training giving a cause-and-effect decision-making balance to ensure that all the required objectives are met. This allows units to not only highlight their successes, but learn from their mistakes and leave the installation better-prepared to protect our nation in every clime and place.