Photo By Staff Sgt. LaShic Patterson | The “Top Gun” non-commissioned officer is Staff Sgt. Colt Dietrich, receiving the...... read more read more
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VILSECK, Germany - The FA Squadron concluded their 32-day long competition by awarding their “Top Gun” section and “Top Fire Direction Center” section in its “Best of the Best” award ceremony at the Rose Barracks FA Squadron motorpool in Vilseck, Germany, Dec. 7, 2018.
The purpose of the competition was to bring together Soldiers representing the FA Squadron in a head-to-head competition for section level qualifications and live fires.
“We welcome you to the Field Artillery Squadron 2018 ‘Best of the Best’ Ceremony,” announced 1st Lt. Randolph Webb, field artillery officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, FA Squadron, 2CR and emcee of the event. “Today’s ceremony will recognize the expert gunners, “Top Gun” section, “Top Fire Direction Center” and “Top Firing” battery of the Field Artillery Squadron.”
Each battery of the FA Squadron competed in events that consisted of a written exam for cannon crewmembers and fire control specialists, a safety test for fire control specialists, the execution of field artillery skills proficiency tables one through four and a table five section certification measuring timely and accurate fires.
Command Sgt. Maj. Craig A. Collins, the senior enlisted advisor for the FA Squadron, 2CR, and Lt. Col. Charles M. Knoll, commander for the FA Squadron, 2CR, pinned the awardees and congratulated them on a job well done.
“I can’t tell you how proud we are of each and every section that competed in this competition in our section certifications and qualifications,” said Collins in his opening remarks. “Scores were very close across the board. Everyone did an outstanding phenomenal job.”
Collins continued, “It was a great event, and [I] look forward to doing one in six months so [that] you can learn and build off this to continue getting better and better and continue that excellence that Field Artillery Squadron has been known for throughout 2CR and Europe.”
To receive expert on their gunner qualifications, participants had to score a 90 out of 100 possible points. Participants who earned Army Achievement Medals for receiving their expert gunner qualifications include the following Soldiers all of whom are from Cobra Battery, FA Squadron, 2CR: Staff Sgt. Humberto Rojas, Staff Sgt. Joseph Marrero, Sgt. Nathan Hogan and Sgt. Steven Rodriguez.
The 3rd Section, 2nd Platoon, Archer Battery, FA Squadron, 2CR was awarded the “Top Gun” section muzzle break cover and streamer for their battery’s guide-on. They received a final score of 1,377 points, 30 points higher than the runner-up.
The 2nd FDC Section, 2nd Platoon, Cobra Battery, FA Squadron, 2CR was awarded the “Top FDC” section, earning a streamer for their battery’s guide-on. Their final score was 1,379 points, 17 points higher than the runner-up.
The “Top Gun” non-commissioned officer was Staff Sgt. Colt Dietrich, who received the Army Commendation Medal. Soldiers within his section received Army Achievement Medals as the “Top Gun” section, which included Sgt. Paul Anthony, Sgt. Michael Friedrich, Sgt. Joshua Stucker, Spc. Tony Grant, Spc. Hugo Guzman, Spc. Dakota Linke, Pfc. Jacob Boehm and Pfc. Tory Knaff.
Staff Sgt. Stephen Waller was named the “Top FDC” non-commissioned officer and received the Army Commendation Medal. Soldiers within his section received Army Achievement Medals as the “Top FDC” section, which included 1st Lt. John Baisley, Sgt. Kyle Creswell, Sgt. Damarius Lindsay, Sgt. Kalyntae Williams, Spc. Treyvon Green, Spc. Quintarius Hudson and Spc. Alex Rodarte.
The ceremony concluded with presenting the award for the “Top Firing” battery in the FA Squadron, which was determined by the cumulative average of all gunnery and FDC sections within each battery.
The Cobra Battery received the highest score of 11,471 points, 38 points higher than the runner-up, earning the “Top Firing” battery streamer for their guide-on.
“What I’m also really proud about is that a lot of these sections have brand new chiefs, some with just four years in,” said Knoll. “We’ve probably got the youngest chiefs and the youngest crew in the United States Army; that’s impressive.”
The FA Squadron produced 20 qualified crews and six FDCs to support the European theater.
“It’s a whole new generation of artillery men and women out here right now that are going to take us into the future,” said Knoll.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2018 09:23 |
| Story ID: | 303150 |
| Location: | DE |
| Web Views: | 644 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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