'Iron Thunder' puts their training to the test

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element
Courtesy Story

Date: 11.08.2012
Posted: 11.09.2012 20:42
News ID: 97585
'Iron Thunder' puts their training to the test

WHITE SANDS, N.M. - Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment “Iron Thunder” completed their Table XV certification during a live-fire exercise at McGregor Range complex N.M. and Dona Anna, N.M., Nov 7-8.

“The training was really good, it’s something we have done in the past,” said Spc. Christopher A. Miloro, a gunner with Battery B, 4-27 FA. “It’s definitely good training for the new soldiers, as the gun requires a lot of teamwork. No matter how small the job you have, that small job may affect the performance of the rest of the team.”

Field artillery gunnery tables allow leaders progressive sequential training, and it also includes a comprehensive list of gunnery tasks for every level. They include proficiency tests, safety certifications and commanders assessments on the skills of the gun crews.

“The training was very long, very difficult and very different,” said Pfc. Kyle S. Charley, an ammo vehicle driver with Battery B. “There is a lot of running around and a lot of moving parts and the M777 is very different than the Paladins I was trained on in Korea.”

The Field Artillery Table XV is the battery level live-fire qualification that tests the crews proficiency to properly operate and accurately engage targets with the M777A2 155mm Ultra-lightweight Field Howitzer. It took place over a 24-hour time period allowing for both night and day operations and was part of a five week train-up as part of the Network Integration Evaluation 13.1.

“I do love training soldiers,” said Sgt. Jack Rodriguez, section chief with Bravo Battery. “All the soldiers were able to train on all positions on the gun, rotating in and out. It’s good training for the new soldiers, on a new artillery piece, the M777A2.”