King of The Hammers 2011

From the San Bernardino County Sun:
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_17286438

Quote:


Live-ammo exercises bring Marine warning to race fans
By Wesley G. Hughes Staff Writer
Posted: 02/03/2011 05:07:46 PM PST

TWENTYNINE PALMS - Don't go wandering around without your GPS if you plan on attending the King of the Hammer off-road vehicle races in Johnson Valley Sunday through Saturday.

That's the advice of Capt. Nicholas C. Mannweiler, spokesman for the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center here. He says the base and the race area are adjacent and he's heard estimates of 60,000 fans at each of the last two Hammers. And people have been known to wander onto the base by accident.

The Marines will be using every inch of the base right up to the edge during live-ammo exercises being held during the races, the captain says.

They do it all the time, Mannweiler says but not always with 60,000 party animals next door. The Marines use everything from M-16 carbines, machine guns, tanks, air-dropped bombs, mortars and howitzers.

The exercise called Enhanced Mojave Viper is conducted at the Twentynine Palms base 11 times a year because "This is the only base (big enough) where we can get air, ground, logistics and command elements together at the same time.

"A 155mm howitzer has a kill radius of 50 meters and can wound in a radius of 100 meters," Mannweiler says. And that's from a distance of 15 to 25 miles.

A meter is just more than one yard, so if a 155 round hits in the middle of a football field, it can kill you if you are standing in the end zone and probably 10 or 12 rows up in the good seats - on both sides.

If you just scored a touchdown and you are doing your victory dance, a 155 landing in the opposite end zone can send you to the hospital with major wounds.

Ninety percent of all U.S. Marines preparing for deployment to the Afghanistan War train here and they train with live ammo just like they use in real combat. Keep that in mind.

"We've found people on the base who are lost," said Mannweiler. "Being lost in the desert is bad. Being lost in the desert with artillery . . ." the sentence drifted off.

Summing it up, Mannweiler said, "We want you to respect the lethality of our weapons."

Yes sir. Live-ammo exercises bring Marine warning to race fans
By Wesley G. Hughes Staff Writer
Posted: 02/03/2011 05:07:46 PM PST

TWENTYNINE PALMS - Don't go wandering around without your GPS if you plan on attending the King of the Hammer off-road vehicle races in Johnson Valley Sunday through Saturday.

That's the advice of Capt. Nicholas C. Mannweiler, spokesman for the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center here. He says the base and the race area are adjacent and he's heard estimates of 60,000 fans at each of the last two Hammers. And people have been known to wander onto the base by accident.

The Marines will be using every inch of the base right up to the edge during live-ammo exercises being held during the races, the captain says.

They do it all the time, Mannweiler says but not always with 60,000 party animals next door. The Marines use everything from M-16 carbines, machine guns, tanks, air-dropped bombs, mortars and howitzers.

The exercise called Enhanced Mojave Viper is conducted at the Twentynine Palms base 11 times a year because "This is the only base (big enough) where we can get air, ground, logistics and command elements together at the same time.

"A 155mm howitzer has a kill radius of 50 meters and can wound in a radius of 100 meters," Mannweiler says. And that's from a distance of 15 to 25 miles.

A meter is just more than one yard, so if a 155 round hits in the middle of a football field, it can kill you if you are standing in the end zone and probably 10 or 12 rows up in the good seats - on both sides.

If you just scored a touchdown and you are doing your victory dance, a 155 landing in the opposite end zone can send you to the hospital with major wounds.

Ninety percent of all U.S. Marines preparing for deployment to the Afghanistan War train here and they train with live ammo just like they use in real combat. Keep that in mind.

"We've found people on the base who are lost," said Mannweiler. "Being lost in the desert is bad. Being lost in the desert with artillery . . ." the sentence drifted off.

Summing it up, Mannweiler said, "We want you to respect the lethality of our weapons."

Yes sir.
:flamemad:
 
I know that Mojave Viper is going on that week I thought that they would be doing it on Yuma proving grounds but I guess not. Kind of stupid on Marines part.
 
Sweet. If they do it at night we get a nice light show over the ridge to the east with booms to go with it. Seen that before. :)
 
Just over 400 miles away...

mac 'over 1900 miles on the trip odometer already' gyvr
 
Got the jeep back together and running great! Should be heading out Thursday afternoon through Saturday, I'll be flat towing the XJ behind my Chevy HD. See you guys there!
 
I should be out there early friday to watch the races leaving mid day Saturday. I have a few questions because this will be my first time. Will I have a hard time trying to park overnight, and how secure is this place. I don't have a rear hatch or windows on my jeep.
 
My phone has no idea what that like is. Just a odd black webpage
 
My phone has no idea what that like is. Just a odd black webpage

The unit is not on but when it is you can track me and my location.
 
I'm camped at the NW corner of Genright and Bestop Lane.

Two big enclosed trailers.

My black XJ, a YJ, two buggys, the 302 and the 929.

mac 'this place is amazing' gyvr
 
well even though his coords would be cool, the street corners are well laid out this year with street signs even. And you can not camp with him in that location. Well unless he is all alone. The pit areas are very limited. The general public is limited to the area east of the pits and Hammertown.
 
Dropped the rigs off today. Already a ton of people. I will be back out Thursday noonish with our group. Couple of Jeep, some sxs, and a buggy or two. Wave us down if you see us.

Chris

17865_1270879504064_1592172834_663320_2140498_n.jpg
 
Wish I could John.
Got two straight weekends of races starting next week, and buried with work.

Will definitely make Big Bear in May.
 
Damn, this place is already packed. Should be a nice week.

BTW, Verizon Wireless kicks ass!
 
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