‘Punisher’ soldiers conduct training with CROWS weapon technology downrange

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alexander Burnett | Pfc. Rodolfo Aguilar, a 539th Transportation Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion transportation specialist, practices using the common remote operated weapons station in a classroom simulator during the CROWS class at Camp Leatherneck, July 27.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

07.29.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Alexander Burnett 

7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary)

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Soldier safety is of great importance to the Army, especially during deployments to hostile areas. The threat of attack by improvised explosive devices, sniper fire or direct contact from enemy insurgents places the lives of soldiers in danger on a daily basis. Through advances in weapons technology, soldiers can now engage the enemy while protected from many of these dangers.

Soldiers from the 539th Transportation Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, conducted common remote operated weapon station certification at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 27-29.

The 12 “Punisher” soldiers began their training with a brief introduction to the system, its capabilities and purpose on the battlefield. The CROWS is an interface between the soldier and their crew-served weapon system that can be operated from within the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. The station can be adjusted to fire four different weapons systems including: the M-249 squad automatic weapon, the M-2 .50-caliber machine gun, M-240B 7.62mm automatic rifle and the MK-19 grenade launcher, said Pfc. Bret Rickels, a 539th Trans. Company transportation specialist.

“This system is amazing,” said Rickels. “With it, we can be effective in engaging enemies and be better protected against IED attacks, sniper fire and direct contact.”

The class, which was given by Department of the Army civilians Scott Brown and Todd Coudrette, instructed soldiers on how to interact with the system interface, adjust their screen settings, change between the different surveillance modes and use the system controls to engage a target. The “Punishers” also received hands-on instruction on how to mount and dismount both the M-2 .50-caliber and the M-240B. Finally, they were able to train with the system and engage targets on a computer simulator in the classroom.

“We give each trainee a full spectrum class on every aspect of the system,” said Brown. “We make sure that when they go one mission with these stations, they are prepared to use them to their full capacity.”

The final days of instruction included learning how to bore-sight the weapons system, ensuring the camera and interface screen are synchronized so each round fired makes its target. The class concluded with live-fire training, where soldiers engaged targets at distances up to 800 meters with both the M-240B and M-2.

The soldiers of the 539th Trans. Company will return to their unit after their certification and begin conducting missions with the CROWS system. They expressed their confidence and sense of security with their new training.

“It’s great knowing the next time my soldiers or I go out on mission, they can engage the enemy and fight off any attack while remaining safe inside the vehicle,” said Cpl. Detrich Clay, a 539th Trans. Company team leader. “This shows the military is concerned with our safety and are trying to make our mission safer in Afghanistan.”

• Date Taken: 07.29.2011
• Date Posted: 08.04.2011 05:06
• Story ID: 74816
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF