Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly Calkins | U.S. Army Pfc. Casey Thomas assigned to Bravo Company, 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion...... read more read more
EASTOVER, S.C. – Bravo Company, 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion (CAB), 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), conducted theory of operations training on 14 newly attained M2A2 Operation Desert Storm - Situational Awareness (ODS-SA) Bradley Fighting Vehicles during annual training at McCrady Training Center, May 10, 2014.
“This is good training because during a normal drill weekend we do not have the time to work at this minute detailed level,” said Capt. Brian J. Gural, Bravo Company commander. “Because of the operational tempo, this is good reset dedicated training.”
The 1-118 CAB returned last year from a nine-month deployment to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian providing a secure environment and freedom of movement for the people of Kosovo. Since then, the 1-118 CAB has molded new leaders and through restructuring Bravo Company is comprised of approximately 50 percent new Soldiers, allowing for first-rate training opportunities.
“This is our first time working as a team,” said 1st Lt. Daniel W. Pasche, a platoon leader for Bravo Company. “The instructors are professional and we have team members that have experience to assist others as we go along.”
Bravo Company spent the first part of their annual training learning the new capabilities of the ODS-SA Bradley that now includes digital components providing constant diagnostic software to define and diagnose faults. Crew members are also now able to input environmental information into the software while firing ammunition rounds at targets to ensure accuracy. Another technological advancement includes a “smart display” so the squad leader can see everything the driver can see via the display.
After familiarization training, each of the 14 crews trained together with a New Equipment Training Team (NETT) instructor from Fort Benning, Georgia, learning how to disassemble and reassemble the M242, 25-millimeter chain gun. Soldiers spent two days learning how to remove the 59-pound ammunition feeder, the 92-pound receiver, and the 107-pound barrel. Other than the ammunition feeder, it was a two-person team to disassemble the chain gun.
“I’m learning a lot from my gunner, Sgt. Byrd, and our instructors,” said Spc. Ryan H. Depew, a driver of the SA Bradley.
Soldiers continued training on the M242 Chain Gun, learning how to load high explosive and armor piercing rounds into the “hot boxes” and directly into the ammunition feeder chamber. The “hot boxes” hold 150 rounds to be used during combat and training engagements but an SA Bradley crew at a minimum can carry 600 rounds of ammunition.
The remaining annual training tasks for Bravo Company included training on the other weapon systems, driver’s training, and cross training between crew members.
“We will conclude NET training by next annual training, March 2015,” said Gural. “This is a good reset for the battalion’s ability for the next decade.
For addition information about the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade contact Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly D. Calkins, Brigade Public Affairs NCOIC at kimberly.d.calkins.mil@mail.mil.
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2014 12:50 |
| Story ID: | 132474 |
| Location: | EASTOVER, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion trains on new Bradley Fighting Vehicles, by SFC Kimberly Calkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT