Pfc. Nicholas Gomez, a rifleman with 2nd platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, feels the sharp, choking effects of CS gas after a canister went off near him before he had time to don his M50 gas mask during a live-fire platoon attack at the Infantry Platoon Battle Course, Range 10, in the Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 20, 2013. The attack was part of Exercise Lava Viper, a battalion-level combined-arms exercise designed to enhance the skills of the ground combat and support element Marines participating. “The use of the gas is to provide confidence to Marines in an uncontrolled environment while still performing their offensive, defensive and counter attacks on the enemy with their masks on,” said Cpl. Carlos Iruegas, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) Chief with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “Although the gas is only a riot control agent, the repetitious donning of the masks provides Marines with the muscle memory necessary in case a nerve agent is ever used in a real combat situation.”
Cpl. Matthew Callahan
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