Training exercise enhances combat readiness

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ange Desinor | Soldiers of 4th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct Gunnery Table VI training, at Fort Carson, Colorado, March 2, 2017. Gunnery Table VI training develop the skills required in a combat environment, and to maintain Soldiers qualification readiness. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs)  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

03.02.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor  

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORT CARSON, Colorado – Soldiers with 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted gunnery training to develop combat skills and maintain weapons proficiency at Fort Carson, Colorado March 2.

The range consisted of multiple fi ring tables and a final qualification. Throughout the training, Soldiers were evaluated on proficiency to engage targets from various positions within the M1A2 Abrams Tank.

“Today, we have Iron Soldiers of 4-10 CAV conducting tank (gunnery) Table VI, which is a qualification designed to certify the crew and prepare them for combat operations,” said Col. Michael J. Simmering, commander, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.

An M1A2 tank crew typically consists of four Soldiers who rely on each other to destroy enemy vehicles, emplacements and positions.

“When you look at what they are doing daily, it comes down to four Soldiers in a tank to coordinate their actions in order to make the tank move quickly, fire quickly and destroy whatever targets are presented,” said Simmering. “Those are the primary areas of concentration you look at when you’re at the range.”

In addition to acquiring and engaging targets, practicing range safety is also paramount during weapons qualification, said Staff Sgt. Ian Brown, tank commander, Troop D, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.

“The No. 1 thing out here we push is safety,” said Brown. “We have to ensure we keep all Soldiers safe while we are training. A lot of the training we do is repetitive and becomes muscle memory, but we can’t get complacent when it comes to safety.”

Brown constantly reinforces proper communication between the tank commander, the driver, ammo loader and gunner to prevent any errors while training.

“The goal is to ensure everyone knows what their role is,” said Brown. “Communication allows us to ensure safety as well. A tank crew must qualify as a team to ensure they can operate together efficiently while successfully locating, engaging, and destroying targets.”

With a rotation of new Soldiers coming in, concurrent training provides an opportunity to maintain skills as a team, Brown noted.

“Although we do a lot of training, it doesn’t get old,” said Brown. “You learn something new about your team, your equipment or your vehicle. You’re able to build a bond every time.”

Table VI gives Bradley Fighting Vehicle and M1 Abrams Tank crews a chance to hone their skills as a team and prepare for future collective gunnery qualification tables.

“I’m extremely proud of my Soldiers’ performance after returning back from Eastern Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve,” said Simmering. “Our last equipment got back here on Jan. 8, and on Jan. 22, our first Soldiers rolled out and shot gunnery. There has been a steady stream of Soldiers getting after the training. Quite honestly, it has been so impressive. It’s our job to be ready to go at any given time. Being ready to go now is the message we push out to our formation.”

• Date Taken: 03.02.2018
• Date Posted: 03.09.2018 13:09
• Story ID: 268816
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US