New weapons system more efficient for 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Marines

Courtesy Photo | Lance Cpl. Rafael Delgado, a gunner with Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, adjusts his sights during a demonstration of the new Light Armored Vehicle-25 A2 at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, April 12. The new sight allows for magnifications of the target and detailed quality to ensure the targets actions are clear. (Photo/Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson)  

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ

04.13.2008

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team 5

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq -- Imagine a weapon's sight so powerful that you could read a service members' name tape from over a kilometer away.

Marines with Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, acquired a gun sight that powerful for the Light Armored Vehicle-25 for this deployment.

Light armored vehicle operators with the battalion have trained with these weapons systems since their combined arms training known as "Mojave Viper" at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The LAV-25 is an eight-wheeled, land driven, amphibious, armored vehicle able to deploy suppressive fire power.

"The new system is amazing for keeping us out of harm's way and having an element of surprise," said Lance Cpl. Raphael Delgado, a gunner with Charlie Co. "With it, you are able to stay stationary and never give away your position."

The new scope system was first installed into the M1 A2 Abrams tank and now onto the LAV-25 A2, the latest model of the vehicle. The weapon consists of magnifications for further target observations and detailed quality to ensure the target's actions are clear.

"The sight gives you better positive identification on your target," said Delgado, 21, from Wichita, Kan.

According to the gunners, the new weapon has been very impressive since its debut.

"The system is phenomenal; it brings in objects as if you were right there next to it," said Cpl. Jason P. Detwiler, a gunner with Charlie Co. "If it (was) any better, it would be like playing Playstation in a turret. I love it."

The new system has been issued to every light armored reconnaissance battalion for LAV operators to train on the new system for their next deployment.

"The LAV 25 community is going in the right direction," said Detwiler, 21, from Neosho, Missouri. "The system is going to be extremely accurate and help the LAV-25 grow."

• Date Taken: 04.13.2008
• Date Posted: 04.17.2008 12:03
• Story ID: 18513
• Location: AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IQ