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One man keeps big guns booming

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Aird | Army Sgt. Daniel Martwick, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Airborne...... read more read more

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

10.15.2007

Courtesy Story

173rd Airborne Brigade

By Army Sgt. Brandon Aird
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – One Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Soldier helps Task Force Bayonet be more effective as a fighting force with just his hands.

Army Sgt. Daniel Martwick, from Creston, Iowa, can fix almost every weapon system in the TF Bayonet area of operation.

"I can fix an M-9 (pistol) all the way up to 155 (Howitzer)," Martwick boasts.

The task force is spread out over numerous forward operating bases- nestled in the mountains near the border of Pakistan. These mountains can give the enemy an advantage over the paratroopers by allowing them to set up ambushes.

When this happens, paratroopers call for indirect fire support from 155 Howitzer gun teams based out of various forward operating bases in the area.

The heavy demand for artillery support often leads to the wear and breakage of the 155mm Howitzers.

"That's when they call on me," explained Martwick.

"In over five months of combat we have fired over 4,400 rounds in support of troops in contact," said Army Maj. Anthony Lugo, 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment (Airborne) executive officer.

"Under these conditions, even the best maintained Howitzers break. Martwick's ability to troubleshoot maintenance issues before they occur has enabled us to keep our Howitzers firing in support of troops in contact."

Martwick is one of only a handful of Soldiers in Afghanistan who are qualified to fix a 155mm Howitzer.

"I've got 11 Howitzers that I take care of," said Martwick.

Martwick works side-by-side with the gun crew to keep the 155mm Howitzers working, said Army Pfc. George Sutter, Bravo Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment (Airborne).

Martwick uses the computers at Camp Wright to order parts. Once the parts arrive, Martwick travels to the Howitzer to fix it. Some of the parts weigh hundreds of pounds and are quite difficult to move.

"We have to use a crane to move some of the bigger pieces," explained Martwick.

Martwick was working on a 155mm Howitzer at Camp Blessing when a part slipped and took off part of his finger.

"I had to wait ... for a MEDEVAC (medical evacuation)," said Martwick. "But I still came back two days later to finish the job."

By the time Martwick came back, the 155mm Howitzer team had already assembled the gun.

"These guys love their gun," explained Martwick. "If their gun isn't working they feel left out of the fight."

Martwick only had to make a few adjustments before the gun team was ready to get back into the fight.

"Its hard work, but we appreciate his help," said Sutter while working on a Howitzer at Camp Wright.

"He has truly done the Lord's work to keep these Howitzers firing," said Lugo.