HIMARS hitch a ride to Western Strike

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna | A Soldier from the 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard sits atop a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System while waiting to load the vehicle onto a C-17 cargo aircraft at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, June 2. Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen from the 45th Field Artillery Brigade are working together with Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing to conduct a joint inspection and movement of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from Altus Air Force Base to Fort Smith, Arkansas for Western Strike, an annual training exercise that tests field artillery units' readiness. (Oklahoma Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna)  

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, UNITED STATES

06.03.2019

Story by Sgt. Jordan Sivayavirojna 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

OKLAHOMA CITY.-Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard worked hand-in-hand with members of the U.S. Air Force during training at Altus Air Force base, Oklahoma, June 2.

The National Guard Soldiers and active-duty Air Force Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing conducted a joint inspection and movement of the artillerymen’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, to Fort Smith, Arkansas in preparation for Western Strike, an annual training exercise held to test field artillery units’ readiness.

Making sure the HIMARS, which weigh more than 35,000 pounds each, are secure for the flight from Southwestern Oklahoma to Arkansas is important, Senior Airman Joshua Harris said. To do that, the Air Force crews measured and weighed each vehicle in order to calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft.

“After we get the calculations, we can work with the load masters on how to properly load the vehicle onto the plane,” Harris said. “I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s a great opportunity working alongside the Army.”

Transporting the HIMARS vehicles by air creates an opportunity for both Oklahoma Army National Guard and Air Force personnel to learn new skills and gain experience with unfamiliar equipment. It also gives Service members a chance to see how other branches work, while building confidence for future training and missions.

“We really appreciate the Air Force,” 1st Lt. Nicholas Case said. “They have stepped up and provided liaisons and contacts as well as working really hard out here on a Sunday in the heat.”

For this mission, the The Air Mobility Wing flew two sorties, delivering six HIMARS, said Lt. Col. Jack Vaughan, the deputy commanding officer of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade. Vaughan added safely loading, transporting and deploying the rocket artillery vehicles are vital tasks for his unit.

“We must be able to get into theater, move to the battlefield and begin firing quickly,” Vaughan said. “This is a task we don’t get to do often, that’s why this training is so important.”

• Date Taken: 06.03.2019
• Date Posted: 06.06.2019 09:41
• Story ID: 325391
• Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US