Photo By Pvt. Deangelo Wells | Sgt. Robert Krupp, of Peoria, Ariz., a fire control repairer, assigned to Company B,...... read more read more
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CAMP GARRY OWEN, Iraq -- The 64th Brigade Support Battalion conducts many convoys from Camp Adder throughout southern Iraq that can have more than 100 vehicles and last 12 hours or more. These long trips can be trying for soldiers, and it can be challenging to stay alert and prepared. This is especially true for the vehicle gunners who stand in the turret through the beating sun, high winds and even the occasional torrential rain shower to provide security for the convoy.
Although each soldier in the convoy is important, the vehicle gunners are the eyes and ears of the vehicle, responsible for informing convoy leaders of any potential threats.
"We are the first line of defense for the vehicles in our convoys," said Corey Kovall, of Claremore, Okla., a tracked vehicle mechanic, Company B, 64th BSB, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. "We are the ones who see anything and everything outside of our [vehicle]. The drivers can only see what's in front of them, but we have a 360-degree view of everything.”
Given the lessons learned over the last eight years of combat in Iraq, gunners err on the side of caution, never hesitating to alert the rest of the convoy of even the most unlikely threat.
“If we see anything suspicious we radio it to the team chief. This could be a person videotaping an area, watching our convoy and calling someone, or even a person with a weapon. We are always on our toes and ready,” he said.
The possibility of small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades, IEDs and even sniper fire can put a well-rehearsed gunner on the edge of his seat. Although threats to convoys have decreased significantly over the last two years, soldiers must maintain the same level of vigilance when providing convoy security.
"The biggest threat that causes me to be alert and cautious is sniper fire," Kovall said. "A gunner's body is a quarter of the way out of the gunner’s hatch. The soldiers within your vehicle are behind inches of armor and a gunner is out in the open. That’s what makes me search any and everything within my sector."
The dangers to the convoy are different depending on the time of day. In the morning, a gunner’s vision is obscured by the bright sun or glare, while during evening hours, soldiers are at a disadvantage due to low light. A flicker of light in the distance can be muzzle flash from a weapon, a terrorist calling ahead to coordinate an attack or someone taking pictures of the convoy to use for a future plans.
Mountaineers from 64th BSB have conducted hundreds of convoys to the outlying camps in the brigade’s area of responsibility, but they believe that they can never let their guard down.
"My job is to get everyone in my vehicle to their destination safe and unharmed," said Armando Salazar, of Sacramento, Calif., a wheeled vehicle mechanic, Company B. "Anything that I see out of sync with what we’re accustomed to, I inform our drivers. I’m afraid of IEDs, but I worry more about my team or crew more than myself.”
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2010 08:50 |
| Story ID: | 62321 |
| Location: | CAMP GARRY OWEN, IQ |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Gunners: the eyes and ears of the convoy, by PV2 Deangelo Wells, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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