Photo By Sgt. Maj. Tanya Lumbard | Soldiers with B Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – Cavalry Scouts with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, fired into a training opportunity not too common at Fort Stewart, Ga., March 23. Three crews with Troop B, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, triggered two, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles a first-time event for the Vanguard Brigade at their home station.
The training took place after the soldiers received a weeklong class on the Improved Target Acquisition System, learning just how to accurately fire and engage targets.
The TOW ITAS is used by first-to-fight, light infantry forces to defeat enemy armored vehicles. It can be fired from the ground or mounted on top of a Humvee, during the day or night. The TOW also provides a long-range assault capability against heavily fortified bunkers, pill boxes, and gun emplacements.
“Basically, it’s a missile that’s fired from the tube, and once fired you can track it …. and make sure it doesn’t get off course,” explains Sgt. Chad Manis, with Troop B, 6th Sqdn., 8th Cav. Regt. “Both of the missiles [we aimed at] hit exactly where it was supposed to, and both soldiers did a good job at firing them.”
Pfc. Eric Smith, a gunner with Troop B, was one of the two soldiers who successfully engaged the simulated enemy tanks. This was his first attempt at firing the round.
“I like it; it was a lot of fun … It was definitely an [adrenaline] rush,” said Smith, adding that the closest he’s ever gotten to firing a missile before was while playing a video game. “This takes it to a whole new level.
Smith said that overall the training went well, and that he was happy to take part in an exercise not too many soldiers get the chance at.
“It was really good training for us, the hands on definitely gave us the confidence that we can use the system.”
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2012 15:37 |
| Story ID: | 85850 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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