Combined Arms Live-fire Exercise

Photo By Pfc. Susan Blair | A paratrooper from the Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, prepares to load an 105mm high explosive artillery round during a combined arms live-fire exercise May 4 at Observation Point 13. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Susie A. Blair, 2nd BCT, 82D ABN DIV PAO)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.10.2006

Courtesy Story

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Pfc. Susie A. Blair
2nd BCT, 82D ABN DIV PAO

FORT BRAGG, N.C.- "Four ready, four ready," said the radio and telephone operator from the fire direction center of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, as he referred to the howitzer that was about to be fired. "And Fire!"

With those orders, a paratrooper from Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 319th AFAR, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, sent a 105mm high-explosive artillery round soaring down range only 600 meters a way from where the paratroopers of 2nd Bn, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, were assaulting an objective, said Sgt. First Class Joseph Recabo, First Sgt. of Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 319th AFAR.

When the artillery round was fired, the earth shook beneath their feet. The air was filled with dust, smoke and the smell of gun powder. Even though the explosion couldn't be seen in the distance, it made the artillerymen's ears ring from the loud explosion. The empty round made a clunking noise as the paratrooper tossed the casing into a pile of empty shells. Another paratrooper made a grunting noise as he picked up a 35-pound, 105mm artillery round and carried it over to another comrade, so it could be loaded into the howitzer.

During a combined arms live-fire exercise at Observation Point 13 in a Fort Bragg training area May 1-5, Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 319th AFAR fired "10danger close" to fellow paratroopers of 2nd Bn., 325th AIR, while providing timely and accurate fire support.

When the 2nd Bn.,319th AFAR fires that close to a line unit, it's pertinent that the target points and sights are just right or else someone could get killed, said Staff Sgt. Shane Glowcheski, Btry B, 2nd Bn. 319th AFAR. However, with all the safety precautions that the paratroopers follow and the training that they receive, Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 319th AFAR executed the mission problem free.

The 2nd Bn., 319th are always training, said Sgt. Julian Romo.

Whenever there's a CALFEX where they are firing danger close to an infantry line unit than their training comes into play.

"Everyone is well trained," said Romo. "It's all about safety,"

In order to ensure that nothing goes wrong, the target points have to be correct. The forward observer from the line unit gives the target location to the fire direction center. The fire direction center then computes accurate and precise data for the Howitzer, said Spc. David Thomas Smith, B Btry, 2-319th AFAR.

The purpose of firing so close during a training exercise is to make the CALFEX as real as possible for the infantry line units, said Recabo. In combat the 2-319th will fire "danger close" and provide indirect fire support for the line units.

"There are a lot of things that can go wrong," said Pvt. Charles Tyra, Btry B, 2nd Bn., 319th AFAR. "But we have a lot of safety measures that lead up to firing the round"

• Date Taken: 05.10.2006
• Date Posted: 05.10.2006 13:01
• Story ID: 6342
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US