Nebraska Guard conducts TOW Missile System Training Exercise

Photo By Sgt. Gauret Stearns | Soldiers with the Nebraska Army National Guard 1-134th Cavalry Squadron and 2-134th Infantry Battalion operate a TOW Missile System during a training exercise at Fort Riley, Kansas, Dec. 13, 2022. The unit was given 32 missiles and each Soldier was able to shoot at least twice. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Gauret Stearns)  

UNITED STATES

12.27.2022

Story by Sgt. Gauret Stearns 

Joint Force Headquarters - Nebraska National Guard

Soldiers rarely have the opportunity to live-fire missiles for training, especially Soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard. And when they do, units normally receive roughly a dozen missiles, allowing only a select few individuals launch time. But for a training event Dec. 13, 2022, 13 Nebraska Soldiers from the 1-134th Cavalry Squadron and 2-134th Infantry Battalion each had the opportunity to fire at least two of the 32 missiles procured.

Soldiers assigned as Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missile system and Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) gunners in the Nebraska Army National Guard’s only combat arms units participated in the rare but routine TOW missile system training event at Fort Riley, Kansas.

“The purpose of this training was to give Soldiers experience and to get them familiarized and qualified with the TOW weapon system,” said Capt. Joshua Kelsey, range officer-in-charge, Headquarters Headquarters Troop, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron.

To be able to fire the weapon system, each Soldier must have completed a roughly week-long TOW Gunner Course as well as the required training tables. This live-fire event was the last of the required training tables for the Soldiers to become fully qualified on the weapon system.

The TOW has the option of either being mounted on a tactical vehicle or on a tripod. For this training, the Soldiers fired the missiles from the tripod.

This was the first time most of the Soldiers fired a TOW missile and the first time since roughly 2017 that the Nebraska units had the opportunity to fire them.

“We don’t get the opportunity to shoot these often and definitely not this many,” said Sgt. Owen McClenny, cavalry scout, B Troop, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron. “The last time I shot one was off of a Bradley in 2016.”

The main purpose of the TOW is to be an anti-tank missile. It replaced previously used missiles because it offered a longer effective range and a larger warhead.

“It sounds cliche using the buzzwords like ‘being more lethal’ and ‘being a force multiplier’ but that is exactly what combat arms is supposed to be,” Kelsey said. “It is one of our most deadly weapon systems and proper training is necessary to be effective in combat.”

The training took place over the course of the day and ended just before sunset.

“I think this training went as well as it could have went,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Moulton, range safety officer, 1-134th Cavalry Squadron. “A bunch of the missiles were past their shelf life and designated for training only so a few hangfires and misfires were expected. Having roughly 24 successful shots is still a good training experience.”

• Date Taken: 12.27.2022
• Date Posted: 12.27.2022 12:44
• Story ID: 435905
• Location: US