Photo By Levi Spellman | Capt. Karim Al-Azzawi welcomes the families of 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery...... read more read more
FORT SILL, Okla. - The 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery enjoyed time among their loved ones during the unit's 2010 Family Day held at firing point 182, near Forward Operating Base Mow-Way, here, Aug. 10.
The undertaking, designed to promote understanding and cohesion among family members of deployable soldiers, featured a live-fire demonstration, static equipment displays, face-painting, refreshments, and a unique raffle that would allow one lucky family member to call for fire on a predetermined target, said Sgt. 1st Class Winnifred Campbell, one of the coordinators of the event.
The group travelled from battalion headquarters to the firing point via convoy, and were greeted by battalion leadership upon arrival. Additionally, two cannon crewmembers of C Battery, Sgt. Evan Karbowski and Sgt. Jeke Langford, were on-site to provide information about the weapons systems used by 2-5 FA.
At each display, family members were encouraged to look around, ask questions, and even familiarize themselves with the interiors of the vehicles of the Rock Hard Battalion.
“We wanted to inform families about what the battalion does as a whole. We wanted to offer a perspective on how the battalion operates in a field environment,” said Maj. Dewayne Bailey, the 2-5 FA executive officer.
The drawing to issue an actual call for fire was won by Bethany Overstreet, wife of 1st Lt. Joshua Overstreet, the fire direction officer for A Battery. Coincidentally, A Battery was tasked with providing the fire power for the event.
“It was pretty cool because I got to tell my husband and his soldiers what to do,” she quipped.
The command group provided the necessary emphasis and support to make family day a success, said Sgt. 1st Class Ottress Thomas, another who helped with its planning and execution.
“This year we stepped it up. We had a great location,” he said. “It was good to get the families involved, actually being able to see their soldiers doing their job.”
While family day met the intent set forth by the Rock Hard Battalion leadership, with family members from each of its units in attendance, one of the goals for the next iteration is to increase turnout, said Bailey.
“All of the families I talked to seemed very pleased. They were happy to come out, and it gave us a chance to answer a lot of questions,” he said.
As the operation wound down and the adults conversed amid the various vehicles and equipment, children explored all the possibilities of their imaginations, aided by a few soldiers and a little face paint.
“I think it went [well],” said Campbell. “It's bringing families together.”
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2010 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 54340 |
| Location: | FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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