Range time for PRT bonds teammates

Photo By Capt. Tony Vincelli | LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan—U.S. Army Sgt. Lucas Simmons (left), a sniper from North Smithfield, R.I., observes as Air Force Staff Sgt. Abner Cornell fires the M24 Sniper Rifle Nov. 7 near Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam. Cornell, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Native, and other Airmen received instruction from Simmons on weapons like the MK-19 grenade launcher and M2 .50-caliber machine gun during a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Tony Vincelli, Laghman PRT PAO)  

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.07.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 1 - Afghanistan

By U.S. Air Force Capt. Tony Vincelli
RC-East PAO

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan— Known simply as Black Hills, the area just north of Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam is a frequent training site for U.S. forces.

Soldiers and airmen assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team had the chance to test their weapon system proficency Nov. 7, here, in eastern Afghanistan.

“The two-fold mission is to allow soldiers to gain valuable trigger time and airmen to gain much-needed experience on new weapons system,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Lancey, of Norwich, Conn. “If the PRT is about to conduct a mission to a higher threat area, a quick stop to Black Hills for a weapons function check is also common.”

This is the first chance the Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airmen of Laghman PRT have fired a weapon since combat skills training in May. Others are completely new.

“Anyone can pull a trigger,” said Lancey. “In order to be proficient at a particular weapons system, soldiers need to practice as often as possible. It is also important to allow [Air Force] personnel an opportunity to feel more comfortable with these weapons should they ever need to use them.”

“It is a fairly relaxed atmosphere where soldiers and airmen can fire the weapons systems without worrying about qualifying on the weapon,” said Lancey. “It also gives junior enlisted soldiers an opportunity to teach their Air Force counterparts.”

For Air Force Staff Sgt. Abner Cornell, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a supply specialist, said getting to work closely with the Army, on his first deployment since joining the Air Force in 2006, has given him a unique perspective that comes with being an airman.

“Today helped me shift my mindset and gave me the confidence too know that if I need to use any of these weapons in a real situation, I am ready for all of it,” he said.

On her third deployment and second go-round with the Army, this is Air Force Senior Airman Lauren Russell’s first time in a combat environment where she was able to travel outside of the FOB.

“It’s great to break out of the routine of office work that my job usually entails and get out to gain confidence on these weapons,” said Russell, from Washington, D.C. “It makes me feel like if I am ever needed to fight, I won’t let my fellow soldiers and airmen down.”

“Whether it’s the first time shooting those weapons or the hundredth, the thrill never leaves,” says Lancey. “I joined the Army to shoot weapons.

• Date Taken: 11.07.2011
• Date Posted: 11.09.2011 18:32
• Story ID: 79818
• Location: LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AF