Photo By Sgt. Derek Kuhn | Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery...... read more read more
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LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — It's a day like any other at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam. Soldiers are going about their routines. Some are off and are using their down time to call family and friends. Others are surfing the internet or playing video games to pass the time.
Sgt. Carlos Medina is relaxing in his room when his radio breaks the silence. The radio says Medina and his unit are needed; someone somewhere needs field artillery support.
After receiving the message, Medina leaps into action.
"Fire mission," Medina yells to the other artillerymen of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division who live in the rooms adjacent to his quarters. But, there is no need for Medina's shouting because his teammates have already sprung into action.
Word has spread throughout the FOB to all the members of his unit, who are collectively known as the misfits. They drop what they are doing. Phones hang up, video games are paused and computers turn off as the artillerymen ready themselves for their mission.
The artillerymen have to be ready to go at any time.
"We rotate," said Medina. "Each team has a 24 hour shift, during which we are always on standby."
Having donned their gear, the Soldiers hasten toward the gun line knowing that time is of paramount concern.
"It's a rush," said Medina, a Denver native. "Once we get the call, we are ready to fire in about five minutes."
During those few transition minutes, the misfits don't know exactly what they'll be doing.
"There's an uneasy tension as you run down to the gun line," said 1st Lt. Regan Tatford, fire direction officer and platoon leader for 3rd Platoon. Alpha Battery, 2-77 FA. "The uncertainty of not knowing what the mission is for really gets your adrenaline pumping."
Pfc. James Billasano, an artilleryman with 3rd Plt., Alpha Battery, 2-77 FA, agrees with his teammates and explained why the initial moments of a fire mission are so frantic.
"We drop whatever we're doing," said the Needville, Texas, native, "because when we get the call, it's game time; someone really needs us--lives can be at stake."
To some of the Fort Carson based misfits, the first minutes are a blur, but they know those fleeting minutes can drag on for the guys calling for support.
"That initial three minutes seem like an eternity to the guys needing our support, because they desperately need it," said Tatford. "The faster we do our job, the faster they can do theirs."
Using the M198 155 mm howitzer, Billasano said they are able to keep forward maneuvering units from getting ambushed at night with illumination rounds as well as fire support when patrols come into heavy contact.
Oftentimes, the enemy is unaware of the artillery until it is too late for them and just in time for the forward Soldiers.
"The enemy could be engaging our guys with [rocket propelled grenades] or small arms," said Tatford. "If we're called up, they (the enemy) wouldn't know about us until the round impacts."
This quick strike capability is an asset to ground units and has the potential to save Soldiers.
"We save lives," said Medina. "Our job is to give them light to see and to watch their backs and we're having success doing that."
According to Medina, the misfits are able to provide support up to 18 miles away, helping give the forward elements greater freedom to accomplish their missions.
So far they have been successful. The success they've had supporting forward Soldiers has given them confidence in their abilities and trust in the skills of each others.
"It takes about eight guys and everyone has to be in sync for everything to go smoothly," said Billasano. "We trust each other's skills."
That confidence really makes the unit more cohesive and effective. Tatford is proud of this and how his Soldiers have performed their job when they were needed most.
"I'm proud of these guys and what we do," said the Lafayette, La., native. "We have fired several times toward (Combat Outpost) Nagil when the COP was being directly attacked and helped neutralized the enemy there."
Though they may be heroes to the Soldiers they've supported, the misfits remain humble.
"It's rewarding," said Tatford. "It is a great feeling to have someone come on the radio and say, 'thanks you guys really helped us out.' But it's our job; it's what we signed up to do."
However, Medina is grateful for the opportunity to serve his country.
"I'm proud to be here," said Medina. "I feel like we are making a difference."
That difference is supporting the front-lines.
Whether it is neutralizing enemies or lighting the way for Soldiers, the artillerymen of Alpha Battery, 2-77 FA are always ready to make an impact.
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2009 19:01 |
| Story ID: | 40527 |
| Location: | LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 780 |
| Downloads: | 700 |
This work, Leveling the playing field: 2-77 Artillerymen make an impact, by SGT Derek Kuhn, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
