FA Bn. deploys to the Middle East; HIMMARS unit to conduct joint training

Photo By Amabilia Payen | Lt. Col. Bradford Shaw, commander of the 2206th Mobilization Support Battalion, briefs Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment Battalion, New Hampshire Army National Guard, inside the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group airfield about the procedures to be conducted while making their way to the flight bound for the Middle East, April 25, as the unit prepares to deploy to conduct joint training operations in rocket artillery.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

04.25.2015

Story by Amabilia Payen 

Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

FORT BLISS, Texas -- Soldiers from the New Hampshire Army National Guard, 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, deployed April 22 and 25 from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group airfield to the Middle East to conduct joint training on rocket artillery with host and partnered nations.

For the first time since the Vietnam War, the battalion will conduct their core tasks in field artillery, specializing in the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Most field artillery units were cross-trained to fill security missions during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The 3rd Bn., 197th FA Regt., is comprised of Headquarters and Headquarters, Alpha and Bravo Batteries, the 744th Combat Support Company, and a small detachment from the 372nd Signal Company. The 3rd Bn., 197th FA Regt., is comprised of more than 300 service members.

“Our goals are to focus on the mission and become culturally aware of the countries within our region,” said Lt. Col. Sean Bennett, commander of the 3rd Bn., 197th FA Regt. “I feel 100 percent confident that we are ready and we want to get the mission started.”

The field artillery regiment is the first unit to have a female field artillery officer in New Hampshire National Guard history. Second Lt. Shannon Snively, FA officer, is an example for future female warfighters to follow.

“I went to Tacoma State in Washington and (was) commissioned through the (Army Reserve Officer Training Corps) at the University of New Hampshire,” said Snively. “I majored in two fields – criminal justice and sociology.”

Snively has accomplished back-to-back training since her graduation and has been unable to find time to look for a civilian job.

“I just got out of school in May of last year,” said Snively. “But I am looking to go into law enforcement.”

Snively thanks her parents for being her biggest supporters. She hopes to Skype with them while in theater. Bennett agrees with Snively that families are the biggest supporters, including the employers who hold jobs for service members who must deploy.

“I could not do this by myself. We have Soldiers I am very proud of and honored to lead. I am very fortunate because they are all motivated and ready to go. I know they will do the right thing and get the job done and they will come home successful,” said Bennett.

• Date Taken: 04.25.2015
• Date Posted: 05.06.2015 23:59
• Story ID: 162520
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: CONCORD, NH, US
• Hometown: FORT BLISS, TX, US