2-5 Cav Conducts Table VI Tank Gunnery Live Fire

Photo By Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly | U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conduct table VI tank gunnery live fire qualification in Smarden, Romania, July 30, 2018. A multitude of rounds were fired at targets ranging from approximately 400 to 2,500 meters away using M1A2 Abrams tanks in support of Atlantic Resolve, an enduring training exercise between NATO and U.S. Forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Hannah Tarkelly, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment/ 1st ABCT, 1st CD/Released)  

SMARDEN, ROMANIA

07.30.2018

Story by Spc. Hannah Tarkelly 

382nd Public Affairs Detachment

SMARDEN, Romania – Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conduct table VI tank gunnery live fire qualification in support of Atlantic Resolve, an enduring training exercise between NATO and U.S. Forces, July 30, 2018.
The table VI qualification round consists of Soldiers working diligently day and night firing at targets ranging from approximately 400 to 2,500 meters away.
Numerous rounds were fired using M1A2V2 Abrams tanks allowing Soldiers to showcase their skills and teamwork capabilities.
Once the words “Gunner up! Fire!” transmits through the radio, a flash of red fills the sky and a thunderous boom echoes across the range. Variations of these actions are repeated to knock down a multitude of targets enabling Soldiers to qualify on their weapons system.
“It helps validate crews,” said 1st Sgt. Vicente Nicoli assigned to Charlie Company, 2-5 Cav, 1st ABCT, 1st CD. “It helps the crews understand and see all their hard work wasn’t for nothing.”
After several days of hard work and training they finally get to put their abilities to the test.
Soldiers of Charlie Company refer to table six as their “super bowl” that presents competition between the crews to enhances performance and morale.
“Whoever has the top tank has bragging rights until we do our next gunnery,” Nicoli said.
Soldiers continue to evaluate and improve their skillset as they advance onto the next qualification round.

• Date Taken: 07.30.2018
• Date Posted: 07.31.2018 10:07
• Story ID: 286435
• Location: SMARDEN, RO