108th Military Police Co. blasts into AT-4 training

Photo By Spc. Christopher Grammer | Pvt. 1st Class Eric Geyer, a gunner with the 108th Military Police Company, prepares an AT-4 to fire 9-mm tracer rounds during a firing range meant to familiarize the Soldiers with the weapon.  

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

07.31.2009

Story by Spc. Christopher Grammer 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT BRAGG, N.C.¬- The 108th Military Police Company honed their skills with the AT-4 anti-tank rocket launcher during a live fire range at Fort Bragg July 27.

Anti-tank rockets are an expensive and deadly tool in the arsenal of the 108th MP Co. Downrange, each of their vehicles carries one AT-4 due to the need during their many patrols.

"This training helps us downrange by letting the joes know how to utilize the weapon system," said Sgt. 1st Class Fuller Mitchell, a platoon sergeant in 108th MP Co. "It familiarizes them with the weapon so it's not the first time they pick it up when they hit the ground in combat."

Live rockets were fired at battle-damaged tanks by a select few during the range to show the Soldiers the destructive power of an AT-4 rocket.

"It was fun," said Pvt. 1st Class Robert Adam Milhoan, an MP with the 108th MP Co. and one of the Soldiers to fire a live rocket. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, the kick wasn't as bad but the boom was loud."

Some of the Soldiers of the 108th MP Co., like Milhoan, are yet to have deployed and lack experience with this aspect of their arsenal, but all of them understand its importance.

"If something happens overseas I know I can pick it up and use it," said Milhoan. "I'm more comfortable and have more confidence using it because of this training."

The AT-4 was originally produced to counter enemy armor, however the implementation of guerilla tactics by organizations such as Al-Qaida, and the Taliban have spawned new Troop Tactics and Procedures for its use.

The 108th MP Co. uses the AT-4 in combat for reasons such as eliminating threats of snipers, gun-trucks and well defended enemy positions. Because of the need for the weapon system during the 108th MP Co.'s upcoming deployment it becomes necessary for every Soldier who may pick one up to be familiar and proficient with its use.

"We do a lot of patrols downrange," said Milhoan. "Anything can happen on a patrol."

Training to fight is a part of life for Soldiers in today's embattled Army. Firing ranges and training prepare war-fighters to pick up their weapons, react instinctually to enemy threats and continue the mission.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2009
• Date Posted: 07.31.2009 11:53
• Story ID: 37019
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US