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By Sgt. Michallie K. Harrison
BAGHDAD - Soldiers with Company B, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division - Center conducted reflexive fire training with their M-4 carbines, M-16 rifles and M-9 pistols Dec. 29 at Caughman Range at Camp Liberty, Iraq.
The soldiers followed zeroing their weapons with the reflexive fire portion of the range. A reflexive fire range is different than a typical qualification range.
During a reflexive fire range, soldiers are taught to quickly engage close-range targets to prepare properly for close-quarters battle in an urban environment. The soldiers also practiced changing weapon magazines and transitioning from rifle to pistol.
“During reflexive fire I learned to (acquire) my target in minimal time,” said Pfc. Patrick Smith, a signal support systems specialist with STB, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native. “Quick reactions are essential in (combat) and this exercise gave me practice.”
For many of the STB soldiers, this was their first time participating in a reflexive fire in theater, and for others, their first time firing an M-9.
“I had a great time at the range,” said Pfc. Darrick Jones, a signal support systems specialist with STB, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and a Newport News, Va., native. “Shooting the M-9 was my favorite part because it was a new experience.”
Soldiers also practiced distinguishing hostile targets from friendly personnel by utilizing various shapes and colors on the targets. For each round, 1st Sgt. David Rieckmann, first sergeant of Company B, STB, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and a White Bluff, Tenn., native, called out Soldiers to their targets and gave the soldiers approximately five seconds to raise their weapon and fire.
“The rationale for the Army conducting these types of ranges is to transform soldiers into advanced marksmen and to raise proficiency and confidence in (their) marksmanship (abilities),” said 1st Lt. Billy Murphy, executive officer of Company B, STB, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and the range officer-in-charge. “This range was a welcome change of pace from the usual zero and qualification range.”
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2011 17:18 |
| Story ID: | 64885 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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