Photo By Master Sgt. Jared Gehmann | The artillery crewmen strain to lift the Howitzer onto its platform, Aug. 22, at...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — Artillery Paratroopers are getting the chance to stand behind the big guns and return to the job they enlisted for during artillery training, on the far eastern edge of Baghdad, Aug. 22.
Since deploying last December, Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, have performed as infantrymen in the urban environment of Baghdad's al-Karradah District.
However, with Iraqi security forces now clearly in charge of security in the city, the artillerymen now have time to go out to the deserts outside east Baghdad and work on their signature skill set.
"We have spent most of the deployment patrolling the streets and doing more of the duties an infantryman would do, such as clearing buildings and learning basic tactical maneuvers," said Sgt. Ryan Buchan, of Stevenville, Mich., a cannon crew member assigned to the regiment's Battery A. "I'm glad that I'm back to my familiar way of life. I didn't mind the combat patrols but it's nice to get back to the howitzers."
From set-up and sight training, to several mobility exercises on the howitzers, the artillerymen alternate their training exercises each week in order to maintain their combat readiness.
"We are improving every day but we still have a long way to go." said Sgt. Josh Smith, of Dentin, Texas, a cannon crew member with Battery A. "Some of these guys have been in the Army for more than a year and this is the first howitzer training they have received since their initial training when the joined the Army. This is because they have been in the field focusing on other things."
Even with all the grueling work, and heat of the desert, the Paratroopers are determined, and optimistic to get back to the level of a seasoned artilleryman in opens of one day getting to fire off some real rounds.
"The harder we work, and the more time we spend training, the better we will be, it's as simple as that," said Smith.
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.23.2009 07:47 |
| Story ID: | 37848 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 460 |
| Downloads: | 387 |
This work, Airborne artillerymen get back to basics, by MSG Jared Gehmann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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