Scouts Conduct Gunnery Tables

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Tim Horgan, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, scout section leader, ground guides his M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle to the ready line in preparation of firing his Table VI qualification, Pabrade, Lithuania, April 15. During reconnaissance and security operations, there is a high probability that Scouts will come into direct contact with the enemy. It is vitally important that they are able to engage and destroy the enemy with overwhelming firepower to survive these encounters. Troopers from the 2nd Batt., 8th Cav. Reg. scout platoon prepare for these encounters by spending several weeks training for and taking part in M2A3 BFV gunnery. (Photo by 1st Lt. Eric Wicks, 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment)  

LITHUANIA

04.15.2021

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

1st Lt. Eric Wicks
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment

PABRADE, Lithuania – 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team scouts conducted gunnery tables to increase proficiency with their M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, April 15.

During reconnaissance and security operations, there is a high probability that Scouts will come into direct contact with the enemy. It is vitally important that they are able to engage and destroy the enemy with overwhelming firepower to survive these encounters. Troopers from the 2-8 Cav. Reg. Scout platoon prepare for these encounters by spending several weeks training for and taking part in M2A3 BFV gunnery.

“Train up for gunnery helped significantly, we take pride in our crew’s knowledge of the M2A3,” said Spc. Dustyn “War Machine” Gardner, Bradley gunner. “We were able to troubleshoot and diagnose problems swiftly in comparison to other crews, the ability to operate the weapon smoothly is a good feeling,” Gardner added.

Of the three Scout crews, one achieved Battalion “Top Gun” and another attained a superior rating. This training helps crews develop their ability to work as a team.

“Being a first time Bradley gunner, the cohesion and trust in each other that we built through GST (Gunnery Skills Testing) helped us to work as one,” said Spc. Hunter Boyette, Bradley gunner. “During the first couple days of gunnery, learning the system was a little difficult but then I got the hang of it. It was pretty fun and almost like playing a videogame, I look forward to doing it again,” Hunter added.

The GST leading up to their participation in gunnery helped the Scouts develop the confidence necessary to be effective crews. In the end, this training helped the Scouts to demonstrate their lethality not only to themselves, but to each other.

“It has made me more efficient and given me the confidence to know I can use my platform to destroy the enemy,” said Spc. Blake Avenetti, Bradley gunner and winner of the “Top Gun” award. “Overall Gunnery was very rewarding, I feel like all the training and hard work that we put into preparing for the event really paid off; especially because we took Top Gun,” Avenetti added.

• Date Taken: 04.15.2021
• Date Posted: 06.11.2021 10:12
• Story ID: 398261
• Location: LT