Photo By Spc. Trevares Johnson | Emphasizing sustained combat readiness, Paladin's belonging to the 4th Battalion, 27th...... read more read more
Subscribe
TORUŃ, Poland – The thunderous echoes of artillery fire echo across the training grounds in Toruń as the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (4-27 FA), aptly known as "Iron Thunder," concluded their rigorous Artillery Table XV exercise, which ran from February 13-21, 2024.
The intense training in Poland showcased the battalion's precision and readiness to align with NATO forces.
4-27 FA, deployed as part of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2ABCT), 1st Armored Division immersed themselves in a comprehensive exercise that assessed their capabilities in battery occupations and artillery fire missions.
The Artillery Table XV exercise culminated their training, emphasizing the cohesion and effectiveness of each battery as a lethal fighting force. It evaluated their ability to swiftly and accurately employ the Paladin M109A7 Artillery system, a crucial component in the modern artillery arsenal.
"Staying prepared to operate in different terrains is important. Multi-domain readiness is the ability for a battery to move anywhere and be effective," explained Staff Sgt. Paul Presti is an artillery cannon crew chief in Charlie Battery, 4-27 FA. "When you get soldiers from every level and train them in different environments, you see them open their eyes to how to operate the most effectively."
Field artillery, often called "The King of Battle," holds a critical mission – to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy. Artillery units must effectively qualify by accurately and efficiently delivering rounds on targets at considerable distances to accomplish this critical mission.
The Artillery Table XV exercise validated Iron Thunder’s prowess in achieving these objectives.
"A large training aspect of this Table is moving and operating as a battery and as a whole. You have to be prepared for anything from CASEVAC [Casualty Evacuation] to vehicle recovery, the whole nine yards," stated Presti
Certifications of this nature ensure that every echelon of the battalion, from platoons to batteries, functions as a cohesive and lethal force capable of responding to any contingency.
Presti also emphasized the importance of such training for leaders, allied forces, and individual soldiers. "Troops are learning everything from security operations, basic field artillery, and maintenance on the M109A6 and overall building repetitions through intense training,"
Paladin crew members navigated tight quarters, requiring precise coordination and anticipation of each other's actions, especially in scenarios where every second is critical.
"Training out here will challenge you both mentally and physically," Sgt. Tory Sunnes, Paladin gunner assigned to the Charlie Battery, 4-27 FA, emphasized. "We're out here to create a lethal force; our training is a great way to show that."
Ultimately, the Artillery Table XV exercise proved successful, validating Iron Thunder's collective skills and readiness. The demonstrated proficiency affirmed the battalion's preparedness to integrate seamlessly with NATO forces, ready to respond to any conflict or emerging threat.
"Our batteries are in Poland training to be lethal. And we’ve shown that we are ready to be lethal when the moment arises." expressed Sunnes.
The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team maintains many combat-capable forces in Europe. It exists to deter aggression; if deterrence fails, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Allies and partners against that aggression. The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, is forward deployed to Europe in support of the 3rd Infantry Division, V Corps at Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2024 15:45 |
| Story ID: | 464484 |
| Location: | TORUN, PL |
| Hometown: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Out with a Bang! Iron Thunder Finishes Strong in Poland, by SPC Trevares Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT