Train Hard Fight Easy

Photo By Sgt. Elijah Ingram | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Samuel Domingo, a platoon leader assigned to 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, briefs his soldiers on the dry-fire exercise they're conducting at Fort Bliss, Tx, on Feb. 5, 2021. The unit will be performing a mounted machinegun gunnery. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Elijah Ingram) (This photo had adjustments to the exposure to enhance the subject.)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

02.04.2021

Story by Pfc. Elijah Ingram 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

FORT BLISS, Texas- U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, conducted a mounted machine
gun drill in preparation for an upcoming rotation to South Korea earlier this month.

The exercise is used to train battalion scouts on how to react to enemy contact.

"The purpose for this range is for crews to identify any issues amongst themselves
and sort it out,” said 1st. Lt. Samuel Domingo, a battalion scout platoon leader for 4-6 Inf.
"Basically, they are here to work as a crew, your gunner is going to be identifying targets,
your [truck commander] is going to receive firing commands and your driver is going to
be ready to drive up and down into defensive positions and offensive positions."

The job of battalion scouts is to be the eyes and ears of the battlefield. In the event
they are attacked by the enemy, these scouts will be prepared to effectively return fire
and eliminate the enemy or retreat to friendly forces. This form of warfare is primarily
used for convoy operations in hostile territory.

This training is crucial for the safety of Soldiers in combat zones. During the Iraq War, enemy forces would use improvised explosive devices and ambushes to attack
military personnel in a convoy. However, through training such as this, Soldiers will have the training to be able to effectively engage the enemy and make it back safely.

The goal of this training is to get qualified, proficient crews to man the guns on the vehicles for our upcoming rotation to South Korea, said Domingo.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2021
• Date Posted: 03.01.2021 18:05
• Story ID: 390254
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US