Photo By Spc. Samuel Brandon | Soldiers assigned 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. - An artillery shell launches forth from the barrel of a M109A6 Paladin Howitzer. A miniature inferno follows close behind, curling and spiraling out into the warm summer air like dragonfire. Those present hear the roar of the Howitzer instantly, the reverberations of the blast shaking their bones. Even those standing up to 12 miles away hear it’s deafening bellow. And with that, the exercise was complete.
Amongst the inner circles of the military, The United States Army Field Artillery Branch is considered ‘The King of Battle.’ Known to accumulate a high number of casualties in a short span of time, while also decreasing chances of Soldier-to-enemy combat, Field Artillery is one of the most effective branches currently engaged in combat. For this reason, field exercises like Combined Live Fire Exercises, (otherwise known CALFEXs), are conducted to maintain combat readiness, work in a team capacity and build unit camaraderie. Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment conducted a CALFEX for these reasons on Aug. 22.
Sgt. Andrew Liebnow, section chief of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, talked about the reasons for this CALFEX.
“This event improves combat readiness by giving us time to hone our skills, conduct crew drills, and maybe even a few occupations here and there to get the Howitzer placed in a certain area,” said Liebnow. “It gives us time to work in a platoon capacity.”
This CALFEX began with Bravo Battery driving their Howitzers and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, (commonly referred to as JLTVs) out into the fields. They hurtled through the desolate and sandy dunes, throwing dust and rocks to the wind. They arrived at their staging site within 10 minutes, positioning their Howitzers around the JLTVs. And within five minutes after arriving, they set up their nets and waited for further instructions. They would begin shooting rounds the next day. Liebnow described these two aspects of the CALFEX.
“My favorite part of this job is shooting rounds and working with the guys,” Liebnow said. “Embracing the field mission wholeheartedly and getting things done is the best. It’s a collective team effort out here.”
This CALFEX continued until Thursday, Aug. 24. Once the Sections had achieved their goals, they packed up their gear and returned to their Battalion. The tired looks exchanged between Soldiers were mixed with feelings of elation and accomplishment. They had done what they came out into the field to do. When they disembarked from the JLTVs, there was a palpable sense of companionship and camaraderie. This feeling is something Spc. Timothy Hanson, gunner from 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division has come to appreciate.
“My favorite thing about this job is the people, no doubt,” Hanson said. “My chain of command, my chief, my number one driver, those people are some of the best people I’m ever going to meet in my life, by far.”
Field exercises like CALFEX allow many benefits for the Soldiers participating, ranging from preparing for a future fight, to forming stronger bonds between peers.
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2023 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 452108 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 254 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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