HIMARS support provides 2CR increased lethality

Photo By Maj. Jeku Arce | A Soldier from Kentucky Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, Glasgow, Kentucky, scans his security sector after his M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System is unloaded from a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III from U.S. Air Force's 628th Air Base Wing, Charleston, South Carolina, June 12. The Kentucky Army Guard unit falls under Field Artillery Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, during U.S. Army Europe’s exercise Saber Strike 18 June 3-15 (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Capt. Jeku Arce, 221st Public Affairs Detachment).  

LITHUANIA

06.21.2018

Story by 1st Lt. Patrick Pasquet 

2d Cavalry Regiment

The 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, a U.S. Army National Guard unit from Glasgow, Kentucky, traveled to Europe to conduct operations and reinforce the Field Artillery Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment in Poland and Lithuania, June 3 – 15, 2018. 1-623rd FA Regt. was in the European theater to support the U.S. Army Europe-led multinational exercise, Saber Strike 2018.

The unit's primary weapon system is a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. HIMARS is a highly mobile rocket system, which provides extremely lethal indirect fire. 1st Lt. Nick Jackson was enthusiastic to participate in Saber Strike 18.

"We are so happy to be getting this great training,” said Jackson. “This is the reason we joined the Army."

Alone, the transportation of the HIMARS and support equipment was a tremendous logistical accomplishment. Vehicles were placed on ships and sent weeks in advance. The soldiers of 1-623rd FA Regt. are proud of the success they have achieved.

Pvt. First Class Taylor Johnson, from Hardyville, KY, a signal support systems specialist, has been in the National Guard for just over two years. This was his first time outside of the U.S. and he couldn't be more excited.

"I'm really pumped up to be working on new systems and experiencing new training,” shared Johnson. “We've never been in an environment like this before."

A multinational exercise is a unique opportunity to work closely with numerous Allied nations. Approximately 18,000 soldiers from 19 allied and partner nations participated in Saber Strike 18 across four countries. The long range striking ability and precision provided by the HIMARS allowed 2CR the capability to strike from a much further distance, while remaining both accurate and extremely lethal.

• Date Taken: 06.21.2018
• Date Posted: 06.21.2018 12:57
• Story ID: 281814
• Location: LT