Photo By Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen | Pfc. George Nikkel, a TOW gunner for B Troop, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Fall temperatures and cold rain could not deter Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during their tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile training Nov. 17.
“The event was the first time in probably the last five years that our squadron’s had the opportunity to shoot the TOW missile,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Newman, “Bandits” command sergeant major. “Last week, we did TOW gunnery and we distinguished three crews that were able to qualify the highest in the squadron and gave them the opportunity to shoot three live missiles.”
During gunnery training, crews move through multiple training scenarios using the Army’s Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) to fire weapons and test their equipment, battle drills and individual crew skills.
“Giving these guys the opportunity to actually see what the TOW capability can do is huge,” Newman said. “It’s one of those things were predominantly for gunnery, it’s all MILES [equipment] driven; so when Soldiers fire, they are firing a MILES laser and they see the target go down, but they don’t truly get the effects. This live-fire allowed them to see what the missile actually does and gave them confidence in their weapon system.”
Pfc. George Nikkel, a TOW gunner for B Troop, 1st Squadron., 32nd Cavalry Regiment, said it was his first time firing a live missile and he was pretty nervous.
“You have a missile that is literally laying right next to you,” Nikkel said. “The adrenaline rush, the anticipation and then when the TOW finally takes off is amazing.”
Newman said the day was fantastic.
“We hit two out of three targets and I will say the third was pretty close,” Newman said. “We had one misfire. The great thing was the gunner worked through the drill just like he was supposed to, reengaged and hit target center mass.”
Nikkel, who was the gunner with the misfire, said his training allowed him to feel confident in handling the misfire and the reengagement of his target.
“Without missing a beat, it was misfire, alright track for a minute, reengage, missile away and then it hit target,” Nikkel said. “It all comes down to the repetition of the training and the actions that are taken. It’s why we prepare in gunnery for several months straight.”
Nikkel said his crew practiced fire commands even if it wasn’t their turn during gunnery training.
“We’ve been training nonstop,” Nikkel said. “The fact that we were able to practice all of the fire commands, misfire drills and firing consistently, the right way, is what I feel led to our success.”
Newman explained that maintaining proficiency in the squadron weapon systems is part of the Air Assault Big 5, which categorizes physical fitness, marksmanship, maintenance, medical, and warrior tasks and battle drills as the focus points for Soldiers maintaining mission readiness.
“Marksmanship is about being an expert in your weapon’s system,” Newman said. “We’re validating that we are experts with our weapon’s system. The squadron is shooting really well on machine guns and TOWs. The fantastic training shows that.”
Nikkel said constantly training helps prepare Soldiers for any outcome that may happen.
“At a moment’s notice, we could have to go anywhere and hopefully not have to engage a vehicle, but if we do, we are prepared to be able to do what is necessary,” Nikkel said. “I am confident in both my ability and my crew’s ability.”
Newman said he couldn’t be happier with the day’s training from the Bandit Soldiers.
“The future looks fantastic,” he said. “We will finish up with gunnery and then we head into recovery to get ready for the Christmas holidays. We’ll come back and get right at it again.”
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2015 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 183309 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1-32 CAV fires TOW missile, by SGT Samantha Stoffregen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT