Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan | Steel rain! Moldovan soldiers execute battery live fire at Operation Fire Shield 2019...... read more read more
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BULBOACA TRAINING AREA, MOLDOVA - Soldiers from the North Carolina (NCNG) and Alabama National Guard (ALNG) completed Operation Fire Shield 2019, a training exercise, hosted by Moldova, Sept. 9 - 22 at Bulboaca Training Area, Moldova.
Fire Shield's mission was to share knowledge and best practices between the NCNG's 139th Regional Training Institute (RTI) and ALNG 1st Battalion, 117th Field Artillery (FA) experts, Moldovan soldiers and other nations’ military personnel attending the annual event.
The two weeks with their Moldovan peers covered multiple weapons systems, crew training, practice drills, live fire exercises and even a chance for the Guard Soldiers to fire one of the howitzers during one of several live fire exercises.
"Moldovan [artillery] crews carry out their drills very effectively," said Sgt. 1st Class Dean Joyce, a senior field artillery instructor at 139th RTI.
Some of the Guard officers and noncommissioned officers observed Moldovan training from their command post, seeing firsthand how Moldovan leaders coordinate life fire from multiple artillery pieces.
Moldovan observers stationed across multiple ranges called for fire as they identified simulated targets via radio to the tactical operations center (TOC). Moldovan leaders assigned missions to artillery units and soldiers at the TOC quickly computed the range and distance from the guns to the target.
Radio operators relayed target information to crews of Moldovan soldiers waiting near their guns. Moments later, there was the low rumble of multiple guns firing and the whistle of rounds flying downrange. Soon shellfire covered the targets.
"Call for fire, the charts, targeting, the math is the same," said Capt. Trey Lawless, training officer, 1st Battalion, 117th FA, ALNG.
The next day, several of the Guard Soldiers got hands on experience on how the Moldovan Artillery soldiers accomplish their mission. Moldovan officers invited the U.S. Soldiers to the huge 152mm howitzers lined up along one of the training areas ranges. The Guard Soldiers carefully observed as their hosts demonstrated the intricacies of aiming, loading and firing the weapon.
"It is a great opportunity to see how other countries operate," Joyce said.
The following day it was time to prove how well the Guard Soldiers learned as Moldovan leaders assigned a fire mission to them. The Guard Soldiers rushed to the howitzer as the fire mission was called out by the Moldovan battery commander. One Soldier carefully adjusts the aim of the gun confirming the coordinates with a Moldovan officer. Another Soldier brought the high explosive shell forward and slid it into the breech. The next Soldier on the team loads the bags of powder, previously checked with a fellow Moldovan soldier who had fired several missions earlier in the day.
The breech slid closed and the weapon was ready to fire as the crew ran to a safe position behind the gun line. One Guard Soldier remained ready to fire on order. The Moldovan battery commander yelled the command to fire. The Guard Soldier pulled hard on the rope leading to the trigger and 100-pound shell was on the way downrange as several other weapons fired up and down the gun line.
Smiles, handshakes and laughter followed between the Moldovan and U.S. Soldiers after the successful mission.
"I speak artillery, I don’t need an interpreter," said Sgt. 1st Class Emanuel Littrell, platoon sergeant, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 117th FA, ALNG
On the last day of the mission, Romanian and Moldovan Soldiers stood in formation with Guard Soldiers for the closing ceremony honoring and thanking the Guard for their support of the operation.
"We express our gratitude for your professionalism, dedication and effort as part of Fire Shield," said Moldovan Army Col. Octavian Varzari.
The NCNG has teamed with Moldova for more than two decades as part of the State Partnership Program designed to increase peace and stability across Europe.
More photos here https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncngpao/albums/72157710798659957/with/48760848931/
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2019 17:46 |
| Story ID: | 343746 |
| Location: | BULBOACA TRAINING AREA, MD |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, NC, Alabama Guard Complete Fire Shield 2019 in Moldova, by SFC Robert Jordan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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