13B, Field Artilleryman

Photo By Maj. Will Cox | An M109 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer fires a low angle indirect fire support mission with Alpha Battery, 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion during crew drills at Fort Stewart, Ga., March 11, 2015. Georgia Guardsmen with 1-214th FA are conducting their two week annual training March 6-20.  

SAVANNAH, GA, UNITED STATES

03.11.2015

Story by Maj. Will Cox 

Georgia National Guard

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Augusta, Georgia-native Spc. Sampson Anderson joined the Georgia Army National Guard in July 2009 to become a “13B” (cannoneer) in Thomson’s Battery B, 1-214th Field Artillery (FA) Battalion.

“I told my recruiter that I wanted to drive a tracked vehicle, and he showed me a picture of the Paladin [M109 self-propelled howitzer],” said Anderson. “Once I saw it, I was hooked.”

The U.S. Army’s 13B overview reports that cannon crewmembers work the howitzer cannons that support infantry and tank units during combat and play a crucial role in the Army’s success on the battlefield.

“I love the power of a tracked vehicle,” said Anderson. “Where else do you get to sit behind a vehicle like this? And I love range time with these cannons and the time we get with our hand held weapons.”

A new recruit goes to basic combat training for 10 weeks and then to seven weeks of advanced individual training at Fort Sill, OK. While there Soldiers are taught to drive the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer cannon, to fire the cannon and to conduct preventive maintenance checks among other individual training tasks.

“We are the main support for any front-line infantry unit and being mechanized means we can move with the infantry to be their full support,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Holcomb, readiness non-commissioned officer, Battery B, 1-214th FA. “We are the ‘King of Battle’. Nowhere else can you fire a 155 [mm round].”

Specialist Anderson is nine days out from his reenlistment window and has decided that for him, the right decision is to stay in.

“I love the Guard,” said Anderson. “I have been in for six years and it is where I want to be. It is the field time that makes me want to stay in the Guard, being able to shoot large calibre weapons and enjoy the time with my peers out here [in the field].”

The Army National Guard is composed of 85% traditional Guardsmen who seek to serve as “Citizen-Soldiers” while pursing civilian careers. The Army National Guard benefits the nation by retaining the experience and training invested into Soldiers like Anderson and by giving them a part time service option in their state of choice.

“The Georgia Army National Guard is growing and we know that is a great opportunity for more people in Georgia,” said Capt. Joseph Latella, North Georgia recruiting task force commander. “One of our biggest needs is in Field Artillery where we are looking for qualified applicants to serve their community and country as 13B.”

The Georgia Army National Guard has two field artillery battalions, 1-214th FA which fires the Paladin and is headquartered out of Elberton, Georgia, and the 1-118th FA which fires 105mm towed howitzers and is headquartered out of Savannah. Battery A, 1-214th FA is stationed in Hartwell; Battery B, 1-214th is stationed in Thomson; Battery C, 1-214th FA is stationed in Waynesboro; Battery A, 1-118th FA is stationed in both Savannah and Springfield; and Battery B, 1-118th FA is stationed in Brunswick.

If you are interested in becoming a 13B contact your local National Guard recruiter through www.NationalGuard.com.

Georgia Army National Guard photo and story by Maj. Will Cox

Georgia Army National Guard photo by Maj. Will Cox

APC
FORT STEWART, Ga., March 11, 2015 – An armored personnel carrier stands alone on a range over a thousand meters away during a 1-214th Field Artillery (FA) Battalion direct fire mission with an M109 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer at Fort Stewart, Ga., March 11, 2015. Georgia Guardsmen with 1-214th FA are conducting crew drills with the Paladin during their two week annual training.

Georgia Army National Guard photo by Maj. Will Cox

Explosion
FORT STEWART, Ga., March 11, 2015 – An explosion goes off where once an armored personnel carrier stood after a 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion direct fire mission with an M109 Paladin 155mm self-propelled howitzer at Fort Stewart, Ga., March 11, 2015. Georgia Guardsmen with 1-214th FA are conducting crew drills with the Paladin during their two week annual training.

Georgia Army National Guard photo by Maj. Will Cox

• Date Taken: 03.11.2015
• Date Posted: 03.18.2015 10:40
• Story ID: 157344
• Location: SAVANNAH, GA, US