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    ‘First Lightning’ Soldiers certify on the M109A6 Paladin

    ‘First Lightning’ Soldiers certify on the M109A6 Paladin

    Photo By Sgt. Elizabeth Jones | “First Lightning” Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more

    FORT RILEY, CA, UNITED STATES

    10.03.2016

    Story by Spc. Elizabeth Jones 

    19th Public Affairs Detachment

    Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, trained on the M109A6 Paladin during a week-long leaders course Oct. 3-6 at Fort Riley.

    The leaders course, which mirrors the Paladin certification that enlisted personnel undertake, includes classroom work, a dry-fire exercise and finally a live fire.

    “The purpose of training is to further the competency and proficiency of the leaders of the FA on the Paladin,” said Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Walsh, the “First Lightning” howitzer section chief. “Leaders perform artillery skills proficiency tests, crew drills, they learn how to put basic issue items on the vehicle and how to shoot as the gunner and the number-one man.”

    During the leaders’ course, fire direction officers take the place of enlisted Soldiers. Noncommissioned officers facilitate the training while other officers execute the tasks conducted by field artillery Soldiers.

    “It is a great opportunity to interact with our leaders of the 1-7th,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Martinez, chief of section six, 1st Bn., 7th FA Regt. “It is beneficial that they get to see not just one side, but both sides.”

    Inside the Paladin, the section chief is responsible for operations in the artillery vehicle and is the most experienced, senior ranking Soldier in the crew. He or she ensures that all members of the team communicate fluidly and perform the tasks necessary to operate the Paladin.

    “They can understand the physical labor and the techniques of the job, and it helps them in planning out a more realistic timeline to accomplish mission goals,” Martinez said.

    Having a chance to man the artillery system firsthand, 1st Lt. Wesley Trumbauer, fire direction officer for, 1st Bn., 7th FA Regt., said that he could more effectively sustain fire direction officer duties after having experienced the inner operations of what takes place in the Paladin.

    “We get a more transparent view of the battery and all of its moving parts, so we better understand how to do our jobs,” Trumbauer said. “For example, if there is an issue with a rammer and the FDO is notified about the repair, we can comprehend that timeline.

    “We can be more conscious of the expectations for repair and communicate about the situation and realistically know what we need to do to facilitate the success of the mission.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.03.2016
    Date Posted: 10.19.2016 11:28
    Story ID: 212376
    Location: FORT RILEY, CA, US

    Web Views: 332
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN