Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Pfc. Tiffany Jones of Mobile, Ala., a human resources specialist with...... read more read more
Subscribe
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Brigade-level soldiers supporting Army aviation operations for eastern Afghanistan spend most of their work day indoors, and for the most part, behind a desk.
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Task Force Falcon, conducted an individual weapons range at Bagram Air Field Feb. 28, in which soldiers had the opportunity to zero their weapons, qualify and conduct reflexive fire exercises.
“There are a couple reasons for these soldiers to train with their weapons,” said U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Romanych of Utica, N.Y., HHC, TF Falcon, commander. “First is to increase proficiency with their weapons. The second reason is it gets soldiers out of the office. It breaks up the monotony of the daily routine.”
Soldiers zeroed their weapons and had the opportunity to qualify with them. Once they qualified on their personal weapon, they moved to an adjacent range for reflexive fire training.
Reflexive fire is a short-range marksmanship exercise, explained 1st Sgt. Todd Higgenbotham, HHC, 10th CAB, first sergeant. “It helps if you are in a close combat fight and helps to positively identify the correct target.”
Higgenbotham, a native of Abbeville, La., demonstrated proper technique to efficiently engage targets from the low-ready position. After having the students stand directly in front of their targets, he taught them the proper position to fire when facing a target.
“Knees should be slightly bent as if you’re in a fighting stance,” he instructed. “From the low ready, bring your weapon up so the butt is against your shoulder; place the weapon on fire as you take your aim.”
The soldiers went through the motions for a few repetitions and then actually fired at the targets; large sheets of paper, each with three different shapes of differing colors.
“Red triangle,” declared Higgenbotham.
The soldiers engaged the red triangle target.
Higgenbotham said he randomly announces the shapes to reinforce soldiers’ response in positively identifying what they are shooting. He also occasionally announces a color-shape combination that does not exist to check the soldiers’ discipline and attention to detail.
Higgenbotham also taught the soldiers how to pivot properly when reacting to targets to their left and right flank.
U.S. Army Pfc. Michelle Dunning of Enterprise, Ala., a human resources specialist with HHC, TF Falcon, arrived at the in early February on her first deployment. She said she feels more confident having zeroed and qualified with her weapon and completing the reflexive fire exercises.
“If something were to happen, I would know what to do,” said Dunning. “I feel confident walking around base with a zeroed weapon.”
Despite rarely leaving Bagram Air Field, the soldiers of HHC, TF Falcon, continue to train so they’re prepared should a situation arise where they need to defend themselves.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2011 17:35 |
| Story ID: | 66587 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Aviation brigade support soldiers aim for weapons proficiency, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
