Head Hunters ready to move north

Photo By Sgt. Angel Turner | Sgt. Martin Gaymon, a cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, zeroes his Bradley weapons systems during training Sept. 20. Gaymon, a native of Long Island, N.Y., is training with his crew before moving into Iraq to advise and assist 1-9 Cav’s Iraqi counterparts in support of Operation New Dawn.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

09.20.2010

Story by Pfc. Angel Turner 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted final checks of their Bradley Fighting Vehicles’ weapon systems, Sept. 20, prior to moving into Iraq later this month.

“This is a transition point from CONUS (continental United States) to Iraq,” said 1st Lt. Mitch Monette, a platoon leader assigned to A Troop, 1-9 Cav. “It’s confirming that all of our Bradley platforms work correctly.”

In crews of three; consisting of a driver, a gunner, and a Bradley commander, troopers drove for over two hours to get to the range where their training would begin.

“It’s important to get the weapons systems zeroed and the vehicles acclimated to the desert terrain before arriving in country,” said Monette.

Soldiers positively indentified exactly what types of targets were down range and used the on-board computer to aim and engage them with the appropriate type of weapon system.

“This is the most high tech platform we have,” said Sgt. Nathaniel Chance, a cavalry scout from Sacramento, Calif. “In the event we need to use it, it’s important that they are dialed in (zeroed) and work properly.”

While much of the work reconfirmed training that the Head Hunters conducted prior to their deployment, troopers worked on their communication skills to ensure they will be ready to assist their Iraqi counterparts if needed during their deployment in support of Operation New Dawn.

“When we advise and assist the Iraqi soldiers, we have to know how to operate our own equipment first, and zeroing our weapons is our first step to making sure we’re ready to perform any mission we are given in Iraq,” said Chance.

The training that started in the daylight soon proceeded into the night hours, but through communication and confirmed shots, soldiers ended the day with more knowledge and confidence in their weapons systems.

“[The] soldiers had good familiarization on the Bradley systems,” said Sgt. Martin Gaymon, a cavalry scout from Long Island, N.Y. “It gives them the confidence to go to Iraq and perform their duties.”

• Date Taken: 09.20.2010
• Date Posted: 09.27.2010 11:16
• Story ID: 57076
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW