Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp | San Diego native Spc. Eduardo Briseno, a cannoneer who loads and fires howitzers for...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq - While many artillerymen only get the opportunity to fire artillery pieces during training, Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment have already fired more than 1,100 rounds in real world missions to engage enemy targets in support of combat operations in theater.
Since the first calibration of the M109A6 Paladin howitzers in early December, Alpha Battery has supported combat operations every day by firing their Paladins. The unit has supported operations with everything from counterfire to suppressive fire missions as well as striking pre-planned targets. They have also cleared routes for combat missions along with providing base camp security.
Yet even with doing all this, one of the most memorable moments for these Field Artillery soldiers came March 13 as they fired a new propellant.
"The new Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) for their Paladins were utilized during their howitzer calibration," said Alpha Battery commander Capt. Derek Baird.
"We're on the brink of history," said Baird, who hails from Virginia Beach, Va., explaining that the event marked the first time ever that the MACS has been fired in the combat zone by an entire battery of Paladins.
The MACS system, used in conjunction with a projectile, according to Baird is a refined propellant that facilitates higher rates of fire and extends range capabilities for the howitzers. The pre-measured charges, which are packaged in cylindrical, toilet paper roll-shaped canisters push or propel projectiles from the barrels of the howitzer.
The charges also help to lessen the work of the old way of measuring charges, whereby bag charges were cut and then unused portions had to be disposed of - wasting powder, added Baird.
Alpha Battery will use the MACS in conjunction with a new munition they will receive training on and implement within the next few months - the Excalibur.
"This is all very exciting. Our firing of the MACS is in preparation to get Excalibur," said Baird. "This is the final step before it's fielded to us, and all of our crews have qualified on it."
Baird said his troopers have been quite fortunate to work with the howitzers as most soldiers in the field artillery branch have faced a cultural change over the past few years. Artilleryman are now serving in less traditional field artillery roles - with fewer opportunities to employ howitzers in anger.
"Now they're working more in roles that concentrate on doing foot patrols, pulling tower guard and doing cordon and searches," said Baird.
"One of the most important things for my Soldiers is the fact that they're actually getting to do artillery tasks, and for them this is great and I could not be more proud of their performance today," Baird added. "We're the only true 'hot gun' battery in theater -others may have only one gun firing at any given time in support of real world missions - we're using our entire battery all the time."
Thomson, Ga. native, 1st Lt. Sidney Wilson, a Platoon Leader for Alpha Battery said he was quite impressed with the MACS and hopes his Soldiers will remember the experience.
"They should take pride in being the first battery to fire these in theater," said Wilson. "When they go home, this is something they can tell their families about."
San Diego native Spc. Eduardo Briseno, a cannoneer for A Btry. who loads and fires howitzers, had his own take on what the day's firing meant to him.
"I love it, I can't really explain it. There's nothing else that compares with this and nothing else I'd rather be doing," said Briseno. "Knowing that we've made history today in firing the MACS, this really feels awesome."
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2007 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 9481 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,592 |
| Downloads: | 1,481 |
This work, Field Artillery Fires New Modular Artillery Charge System on Taji, by SFC Jon Cupp, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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