U.S. Army Paladins lethal precision thunders in Latvia and Lithuania

Photo By Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio | Two U.S. Army M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, (left) manned by Sgt. Achilles Gill, a section chief, Sgt. Carlo Enriquez, a gunner, Pfc. Nicolas Baker, a cannoneer, (right) Staff Sgt. Luis Torres, a section chief, Sgt. Roger Ellis, a gunner, Pvt. Dejuan Webley, a cannoneer with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade produces smoke after firing an artillery shell during the Table VI live-fire certifications at Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, Mar. 06, 2025. The German Armed Forces from the multinational battle group of U.S. Army soldiers from the Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment supporting Task Force Iron. The shared training focused on the Artillery Systems Cooperation Activities (ASCA) program, as the 1-41st trained by sending digital fire missions from U.S. systems to German howitzers, while receiving digital fire missions from the German systems to the Paladins. Exercises like these ensure crews maintain lethal proficiency on the battlefield. V Corps participates in more than 50 exercises, symposiums, and leader summits annually with allied and partner nations to build capability and capacity along NATO’s eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio)  

LATVIA

03.06.2025

Story by Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio 

70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ADAZI, Latvia — U.S. Army field artillery crews validate their proficiency with the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, demonstrating their ability to deliver accurate and lethal fires during crew certifications.

U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha and Charlie Batteries, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, an element of Task Force Iron, completed a rigorous series of table certifications, culminating in their first live-fire event since arriving in their deployed countries March 5 - 6.

Certifying crews ensures the units are prepared, meeting standards according to Army doctrine and remain combat-ready. The certification process consists of multiple artillery tables, which tests soldiers’ knowledge through written exams, vehicle maneuvering, and equipment operations. The certifications require an immense amount of accuracy, memorization and skill to perform the required tasks.

“This process definitely prepares us for real life situations, just because this is our bread and butter, this is what we do when we come to the field,” U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Bergner, a platoon sergeant with Alpha Battery.

As the crews maneuvered across the range, they synchronized fire missions and executed complex fire support operations with precision. The M109A7 Paladin crews operated in-real-time coordination with their forward observer counterparts, ensuring proper target acquisition, fire mission execution, and battlefield communication.

During the live-fire, U.S. soldiers from Alpha Battery conducted joint training with the Latvian Armed Forces incorporating digital fire control systems such as the International Field Artillery Tactical Data System, or IFATDS, and Latvia’s adaptation of the U.S. Army’s internal system known as Army's Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System or AFATDS. This system enables seamless fire support coordination among allied nations, facilitating a shared network for real-time target engagement.

Charlie Battery performed a similar exercise with the German Armed Forces in Lithuania. German soldiers provided targeting information to U.S. soldiers using the Artillery Systems Cooperative Activities, or ASCA, during the certification. ASCA allows artillery commands to communicate digitally, in real-time, nullifying language barriers and increasing signal speeds.

“We use ASCA to talk to our foreign partners because they don’t have the same database and technology that we have, so we use ASCA to simplify our way of communication,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Syrus Williams, a fire control specialist with Charlie Battery.

This training with Latvians is part of modernizing efforts for how they conduct military operations. The IFATDS system represents a leap forward in battlefield digital integration, linking NATO forces into a unified fire support network. This technology allows for faster target acquisition, precision strikes, and real-time decision-making, strengthening combat effectiveness and multinational interoperability.

U.S. soldiers with Task Force Iron continue to enhance military readiness with their Latvian counterparts. These joint exercises improve defensive capabilities and reinforce NATO security posture in the Baltic region.

“This exercise allows us to increase the ability for us to work with our partnered allies, to build trust and confidence in each other so we know we can trust each other on the battlefield while working together,” said U.S. Army Capt. Jake Brown, the commander of Charlie Battery.

The presence of U.S. troops in the region serves as a cornerstone of NATO’s deterrence strategy, ensuring that allied forces remain prepared, responsive, and united in the face of any potential threats. By integrating modernized artillery fire systems, strategic partnerships, and multinational training exercises, Task Force Iron remains committed to supporting NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence and maintaining regional stability.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2025
• Date Posted: 03.14.2025 13:27
• Story ID: 492893
• Location: LV