Alpha Battery crews conduct SGT STOUT live-fire gunnery at Grafenwoehr
During the weeklong gunnery, air defenders recertified their proficiency with the vehicle’s kinetic weapons while incorporating lessons learned from major training exercises and ongoing global conflicts. The training supported the brigade’s efforts to build ready, survivable and adaptable formations.
For Pfc. Weston Harrod, a live-fire gunnery at Grafenwoehr Training Area marked his first opportunity to qualify in the gunner’s position on a SGT STOUT air defense vehicle.
“This gunnery, it's my first of being a proper gunner for the SGT STOUT. I'm actually getting to qualify on the gunner spot,” Harrod said.
For the gunners, the training brought together weapons proficiency, equipment maintenance and communication with their vehicle commanders.
“The gunnery is more for getting you ready, for knowing your weapon systems and knowing how to properly work the SGT STOUT,” Harrod said.
For Cpl. Joshua Lebrun, preparing to operate those weapons includes ensuring the equipment functions properly and following the vehicle commander’s direction.
“My responsibility as a gunner is to make sure that our equipment is functioning properly, maintain our equipment at all times and take all command from my VC,” Lebrun said.
Qualification and proficiency with the vehicle’s weapons are central to the gunner’s job, Lebrun described. That individual responsibility also requires coordination with the rest of the crew, he added.
Communication between the vehicle commander and gunner during Table VI is essential, Spc. Joshua Herbinger explained.
“If you don’t have that, you’re not going to, you know, do as good as you think you are,” Herbinger said.
Table VI also offers an opportunity to develop that working relationship while firing the vehicle’s weapons.
“My favorite table’s probably Table 6 because of the chance to actually shoot the weapon system and build more cohesion and confidence with your crew,” Spc. Justin Ramos said.
The uniqueness of the gunner’s role in the Army is something Ramos highlighted too.
“I like my job,” he said. “My job’s pretty unique to any other job in the Army. I feel like not a lot of people get to do this.”
And taking the gunner’s position during live fire provided a memorable opportunity to put their training into practice.
“Getting out here and being able to shoot the weapon is one of the best parts of my job,” Harrod said. “It’s something I won't forget.”
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
