Soldiers from the 45th STB Partner with the Bulgarian Army for weapons training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith | Soldiers from the 12th Force Protection Company, Bulgarian army, prepare for a joint range with soldiers from the 45th Sustainment Battalion, 45th Sust. Bde Jan. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

07.17.2012

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith 

45th Sustainment Brigade

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - About a dozen service members from the 45th Sustainment Battalion, 45th Sust. Brigade partnered with Bulgarian forces, July 17, and worked together to share one of the fundamental experiences of being a soldier –firing weapons.

This was no normal day at the range for the 45th troops. This time they got to fire rifles, pistols and machine guns used by the 12th Force Protection Company, Bulgarian Army.

“We are out here to do a Bulgarian weapons familiarizations range, shoot their AK-47’s and some of the other unique weapons of Bulgaria,” said Capt. Vernon Webb, 45th STB, 45th Sust. Bde.

The Bulgarian unit sponsors the 45th STB, and the idea for the joint range came up recently while sharing ideas, according to Webb. Both units thought it would be a great opportunity to test one another’s equipment and put the plan into action.

For the soldiers, this is good for them to get out there and interact with a different country’s Army, something that they’re not used to, and to shoot some different weapons that they’re not used to as well,” explained Webb.

After receiving a safety briefing from Bulgarian safety officers, the US soldiers practiced taking apart an AK-47 rifle and then putting it back together correctly while being monitored. Next, it was time to hit the range and test out the equipment.

All soldiers were given one magazine for each type of weapon, and a Bulgarian safety officer stood by for assistance, helping to coach the troops on proper firing procedures for all unfamiliar weapons.

“I thought it was great, said Spc. John San Nicolas, 45th STB, 45th Sust. Bde. “This will probably be my only time shooting weapons like these. It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” he said.

Both sides shared the same sentiments and look forward to enhancing their partnership by conducting joint missions and training with one another in the future.

“Today we had fire training. We helped our guests who participated in fire training,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Marin T. Aladzhov, command sergeant major, 12th Force Protection Company. “It was nice. I feel great that you were our guest,” he said”

• Date Taken: 07.17.2012
• Date Posted: 07.24.2012 09:19
• Story ID: 92052
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF
• Hometown: SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, US