Manchus shake Chipori Range

2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division
Courtesy Story

Date: 11.28.2010
Posted: 12.13.2010 22:43
News ID: 61925
Manchus shake Chipori Range

Story by: Sgt. Ryan Elliott

CAMP CASEY, South Korea – The sound of roaring guns rocked Chipori Range, a Republic of Korea Army training ground, as “Manchus” from the 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team conducted gunnery training Nov. 28.

The roughly two-monthlong gunnery training was developed to help sharpen individual as well as team skills for the nearly 800 Manchus, said Maj. Toma Kim, the 2-9th Inf. battalion executive officer.

He described the exercise as a thorough opportunity to test and develop the effectiveness of the Manchu’s war-fighting capabilities.

“We train at every level from individual weapons qualification, all the way up to platoon collective training,” Kim said. “These exercises give our soldiers the opportunity to get out there and get hands on, and that experience is very important.”

The Manchus are a flexible unit and bring a lot to the fight because of their diversity of military occupational specialties, Kim added.

The Manchus were able to stay motivated and accomplish their missions despite a cold winter chill, a soldier said.

“My soldiers have been very motivated throughout this training,” said 1st Sgt. Eugene Sweet, of D Company, 2-9th Inf., which took center stage during the training. “It’s been pretty cold some days but my soldiers have been going out there and getting it done. This training is invaluable and is truly making us a lethal force.”

After the training, Kim was impressed by the battalion’s accomplishments.

“I believe this training has been a great success,” Kim said. “Every goal we had coming into it, we have met or exceeded; our soldiers have performed greatly and accomplished every task given to them, and this training has enabled us to ‘Keep Up the Fire.’”

An M1A1 Abrams tank from the 2-9th Inf., 1st HBCT shoots rounds down range at Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex as part of their Table VIII Gunnery training Nov. 28.