Photo By Sgt. Barbara Ospina | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MCHENRY, Iraq - Spc. Shawn Wilcher, from Headquarters,...... read more read more
By Spc. Barbara Ospina
1st BCT Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MCHENRY, Iraq - Morale is higher here since the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division took personal time to build an archery range.
The small but picturesque range was built slowly, piece by piece, as Soldiers found enough time to hammer a nail between daily patrols and missions.
Before the building could begin, clean up was required. The area was full of decrepit tents and trash left by the previous unit. As each broken-down tent and mound of trash was hauled off, the morale-inspiring vision became more clear.
"Soldiers don't really have a lot of spare time here, they might have three hours one day and none the next," commented Lt. Col. Marc Hutson, Commanding Officer for 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment. "So it took a couple weeks to actually get the range set-up."
The idea for the range sprouted when Hutson was spending time with his sons prior to deployment.
"I have two sons who love hunting and fishing, so we would go bow shooting as often as possible," Hutson reflected. "It's a great way to spend time together before a deployment." I was at an indoor range with my sons and I thought the range would be a good idea, from there it was only a simple matter of making it all happen.
According to Hutson several groups and stores donated equipment for the range about a month before the unit deployed. The stores kindly donated five compound bows, including one left handed, and a couple dozen arrows with targets, extra funding for the range was provided through a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fund raised by Capt. Peter Kyriakoulis, currently working on the Military Transition Team (MITT) for 1st Bn.
Last June Kyriakoulis put together a charity run, where patriots across the states pledged money by the mile in support of the unit. As Kyriakoulis exhaustedly finished his 50-mile run, he had raised more than 10,000 dollars to be used during Battalion's next deployment.
"The best part about the range is it's easy for someone to go out and enjoy themselves whether they have done it before or not," commented Spc. Shawn Wilcher, a long-time hunter and Soldier in the Headquarters Company of 1st Bn.
Specialist Greg Carnathan's first time using a bow and arrow was at the range; he fired over 100 arrows down range. "It's pretty addictive," he joked. So the next day he went out and fired over a 100 more, ending his new experience with sore arms and shoulders that lasted for a few days.
The range is open to all Soldiers, even those who have never held a bow. There are Soldiers within each company on the FOB that can teach and guide them on the proper techniques of firing the weapon.
"It's not something that you know automatically, but it's not hard to learn either," Hutson commented.
The range, though designed to boost morale, also helps fine-tune Soldier skills.
"Firing a bow requires concentration, skill and focus; all traits that help make a good Soldier," Hutson said confidently.
In February 2006, the Soldiers of FOB McHenry will have the opportunity to test their skills in a competition at the range. The unit is doing its best to make improvements to the range in the short time remaining before the competition. By competition day the range will have three-dimensional targets and more shooting positions, including a six-foot stand that is currently usable but undergoing improvements.
"The range gives the Soldiers something to look forward to," Hutson said.
| Date Taken: | 01.11.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.11.2006 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 5078 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MCHENRY, IQ |
| Web Views: | 226 |
| Downloads: | 55 |
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