Big Gun Battalion takes on foot Soldier's role

Photo By John Crosby | Field artillerymen of Battery A, 2-218th Field Artillery, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, fire a 105mm shell from a Howitzer at Yakima Training Grounds, Wash., during the units annual training Aug. 9, 2008.  

UNITED STATES

08.17.2008

Story by Spc. John Crosby 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. John Crosby
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ORCHARD TRAINING AREA, Idaho - Soldiers of the 2-218th Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard are conducting annual training at the Orchard Training Area near Boise, Idaho, with the rest of their brigade after spending two weeks training job specific duties in Yakima, Washington.

In Yakima, the Soldiers of 218th FA did what they do best, sent high caliber shells down range. But now that they have joined the rest of the 41 IBCT in Idaho, they have adjusted fire on their training regiment to fit the demands of the brigade's upcoming deployment to Iraq slated for 2009.

"Field artillerymen love firing big guns," said Sgt. First Class Lloyd Reeves, gunnery sergeant of 2nd Platoon, Battery A, 218 FA out of Portland Ore.

As the battlefield is ever changing, so is the U.S. military. The days of huge battles and large barrages of artillery fire seem to be all but gone. The battlefields of today require a different approach.

For the last year, 2-218 FA has conducted warrior tasks and drills training, in addition to artillery training, preparing themselves for the changes they would soon have to make.

"There are mixed emotions among the men," said Sgt. 1st Class Keith Spaulding, Battalion senior master gunner. "They like firing the guns but a lot of them like to get in the field too."

Among other training, convoy security, presence patrols, entry control points and traffic control points are a few of the skills the field artillerymen are touching up on.

"Everyone understands what needs to happen," said Sgt. Josh Alcantar, a squad leader in 1st Platoon, Battery A, 2-218th FA. "They understand the mission and as soon as they are out there on the lanes they put their reality hats on and it's all business."

Alcantar, who deployed as a cavalry scout in Iraq from 2005 through 2006 said the warrior training was extremely applicable to what the unit may see in Iraq.

They are ready to complete their mission by adapting to a fluid environment, said Reeves.

• Date Taken: 08.17.2008
• Date Posted: 09.02.2008 02:02
• Story ID: 23104
• Location: US