Photo By Abigail Meyer | A Bradley Fighting Vehicle moves down a gunnery qualification lane at Range 88 in...... read more read more
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OROGRANDE, N.M. – Teamwork, adaptability and resiliency are essential to mission success and the lethality of a unit. For many infantry Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, that means using and qualifying on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
“This type of qualification gets the crews, the platoons, all synchronized with fighting with their assigned platforms. Inside a combined-arms battalion, mechanized infantry is one of my more versatile formations,” said. Lt. Col. Kenneth Braeger, commander, 1st Bn., 37th AR, 2nd BCT, 1st AD.
Company C conducted its first gunnery since the battalion activated in June 2015, with a culminating live-fire qualification at Range 88 Oct. 14, 2016.
“For a combined-arms battalion, we’re designed for a heavy threat. This type of training right here allows us to use our heavy weapons platforms, our vehicle platforms to engage like-type enemy or a near-peer threat,” Braeger said. “Targetry and scenarios to force our leaders to go through that complex planning and then the execution and firing of the live ammunition within that scenario.”
The BFVs allow infantry Soldiers to maneuver across the battlefield safely.
“The Bradley is a very effective weapon, especially if it’s used correctly,” said 1st Lt. Christian Kelly, second platoon leader, Co. C, 1st Bn., 37th AR, 2nd BCT, 1st AD. “If we were to go up against a near-peer foe, start going up against units or armies that not only can match us in technology and equipment, in some cases can surpass us, so this type of training is very important.”
The platoon of four BFVs moved down their lanes, hitting targets while some Soldiers dismounted to clear breaches and engage targets.
“The quicker we can get fire commands down, the quicker I can maneuver my sections. The more comfortable these guys are together, the greater survivability we will have and the greater mission readiness,” Kelly said.
The unit has been preparing for months, first in motor pools, then using simulators and finally getting out into the field for the real deal. Many of these Soldiers live for the field time.
“It’s just a familiarity. It really brings people together and that’s what you get out here in the field more than you do in garrison. You get to live close together and you’re training together and that means a lot,” Kelly said. “As infantry, this is what we want to do, we don’t want to be back in the air conditioning.”
Every Soldier in the Army contributes to mission success and being in such close quarters has a positive impact on unit cohesion and cohesive teams win battles.
“At the end of the day, accomplishing the mission is what we’re out here to do. Infantry is here to seize land and hold it and that’s what we’re ready to do,” Kelly said.
The battalion will head to the field again in February to complete gunnery qualifications at the battalion level.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2016 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 212576 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | EAST DUBLIN, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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