Photo By Pfc. Gabrielle Scibetta | Staff Sgt. Naomi Connelly, firefinder radar operator of Echo Target Acquisition...... read more read more
GRAYLING, Mich. - The massive structure of the Q-37 firefinder radar sticks out like a sore thumb against the flat landscape known as the impact area at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. Eager soldiers of Echo Target Acquisition Battery, 197th Field Artillery Brigade, New Hampshire Army National Guard, are taking part in their first field Annual Training.
For almost three weeks, five states came together at CGJMTC to participate in the eXportable Combat Training Capability where they conduct scenario-based exercises including: Live-fire training, logistical operations and counter-IED training.
They are the only radar in the 197th FAB and cover New Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Michigan.
“On June 1, 2012, Echo battery came into existence,” said Craig Stansfield, commander of Echo TAB, sharing the history of the unit. “We started the unit with absolutely no equipment, and we have been slowly developing as a unit. “
Last July, the unit did a net fielding of the Q-37 radar for their AT.
“Currently, we are tracking the impact zone looking for rounds,” said Stansfield when asked about their purpose during AT. “We get the point of origin, where their rounds are actually firing from, and we can transmit that up to brigade.”
He explained they could send that up to another unit for a counter fire mission, which is to return fire on the enemy locations.
“We are just trying to be accurate so the information that goes to brigade is accurate.”
Stansfield added Echo TAB has been wildly successful thus far.
“We are doing really well and operating around 97-percent with the cannon fire,” said Stansfield.
Staff Sgt. Naomi Connelly, firefinder radar operator and full-time training noncommissioned officer with Echo TAB, is the first female in her field, not only for the NHNG, but in the National Guard as a whole.
“What the radar does is give you an advanced warning as to when incoming fire is headed in your area,” explains Connelly on how the radar would operate in a hostile territory. “It also enables you to identify the targets and where the fires are coming from. Then you can direct the high-mobility artillery rocket system to fire back at the enemy and hopefully get rid of that incoming fire.”
Echo TAB is taking full advantage of being in the field and brushing up on their warrior tasks and drills.
“We have a lot of brand new privates that have no field experience,” said Connelly.
Because of this, Connelly added her soldiers are enhancing their skills learning things such as how to dig in fighting positions, conduct battery defense, field movements, convoys, and counter-IED lanes.
“My favorite part so far was digging the foxholes,” said Spc. Christopher Davis, firefinder radar operator for Echo TAB. “That was extremely high speed.”
Echo TAB’s commander knows he has smart soldiers, but he also wants to ensure they are well-rounded.
“I want them to have a sense of how the unit functions in the field,” said Stansfield. “How the unit functions tactically as opposed to just the technical aspect.”
This is Stansfield’s last AT as commander of Echo TAB. He will be rotating out in October.
“My goal is to leave the Soldiers of Echo TAB with a sense of pride,” he said. “I’m hoping these guys can break in the new commander as toughly as they broke me in.”
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2014 21:26 |
| Story ID: | 136458 |
| Location: | GRAYLING, MICHIGAN, US |
| Hometown: | KITTERY, MAINE, US |
| Hometown: | MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, US |
| Hometown: | WOLFEBORO, NEW HAMPSHIRE, US |
| Web Views: | 344 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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