FORT DEVENS, Mass. – On one range, a Humvee-mounted MK19 belched rounds into the still, foggy morning air. Not far away, the new M320 grenade launcher debuted by spewing orange chalk-filled rounds at targets down range. And at another site nearby, M240B and M249 machine guns chattered side-by-side, toppling targets up and down a tree-lined hillside.

These were only some of the weapons various units in the New Hampshire Army National Guard brought to the ranges at Fort Devens, Mass., for their annual weapons qualification, Oct. 1-3.

In attendance were about 370 soldiers from the 54th Troop Command, including members of the 237th Military Police Company, 160th Engineers Det., C Company, 3/172nd Infantry Battalion (Mountain), C Company, 2/238th Aviation Regiment, 169th Aviation, and the 114th Public Affairs Detachment. These soldiers had the opportunity to train on handguns, rifles, grenade launchers, and a variety of crew-served weapons.

“The goal of the weekend was to hone soldiers’ perishable skills,” said 1st Sgt. Robert Rogers, the first sergeant of the 237th MP Company. “Its purpose was also to introduce them to new equipment and work out the kinks.”

While weapons proficiency was a major logistical objective, the weekend brought about several other triumphs as well.
For example, members of the C Company, 3/172 INF (MTN) were able to train on the M320, a brand new weapon system that will replace the M203 grenade launcher.

The new weapon is no longer attached to the soldiers’ M4 rifles, and is much more versatile as an independent weapon. During their training the company was able to qualify 21 soldiers on the new weapon, despite it being their first time firing it.

“They pick it up really quick,” said Staff Sgt. Derek Downey, C Company, 3/172 INF (MTN) 3rd platoon sergeant. “There has been plenty of rounds and plenty of range time. We have had a lot of trigger time and as infantrymen that’s what we need.”

Qualifications began almost as soon as units arrived at Fort Devens, Saturday, and lasted through the afternoon and into early evening. Once darkness fell, soldiers had the chance to engage in a night-fire exercise, shooting down targets lit only by intermittent strobes. While qualification exercises continued as needed on Sunday, the new day afforded many soldiers cross-training opportunities.

For instance, the MPs shared one of the more unique weapons in their arsenal – the MK19 – with members of other units accustomed to more traditional weapons, such as the M16 rifle. After conducting a short training class on that misty Sunday morning, the MPs invited soldiers

“There was a good mix of skills,” said Maj. Melinda Morin, the executive officer for the 54th TC, who played a key role in organizing the weekend. “The diversity of the troops gathered here was fantastic.”

The firing line even brought together units from different states, and services. The Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Airlift Wing Security Force shared a range with C Company, 3/172nd INF MTN, and both welcomed any soldier or airman who wished to train on their M240B or M249 machine guns.

Perhaps most importantly, though, were the camaraderie and confidence that developed between soldiers like Spc. Jeff Flanagan and Pvt. Joe Green as a result of the training.

Flanagan, a M240B gunner, and Green, his assistant gunner, both with C Company, 3/172 INF (MTN), were a testament to the camaraderie that qualifying weapons training can build. “He’s got my back and I’ve got his,” said Flanagan of his assistant gunner, after they qualified together on M240B, “it’s as simple as that.”