Spc. Bryan Pelo, left, and Spc. Charles Howell, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, clear the M2 .50-caliber machine gun remote weapon system after completing Table V at range 146 on Fort Carson, Feb. 2, 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
By Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
“Away,” shouts Spc. Charles Howell as he finds his target looking through a driver viewer enhanced (DVE) screen and fires the M2 .50-caliber machine gun remote weapon system from inside a Stryker vehicle on Fort Carson Feb. 2, 2016.
The Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, spent almost a week training to advance to the final practice round before Table VI, the qualification round.
“Every time you have a new crew you have to requalify,” said Howell, a Stryker vehicle commander. “Today we have four positions and five engagements.”
Each two-man crew fired in the defensive and offensive fighting position during day and night practice and then qualification.
“A defensive engagement allows more time to fire; on offense, as soon as those targets pop up, you have to fire,” said Howell.
The crew consists of a driver and vehicle commander, who is also the gunner. A Stryker rifle company uses the synchronized efforts of both mounted and dismounted elements.
“We (the Stryker crew) are their overwatch; it’s important the gunner proves to our dismounts that we are lethal and we can protect them in times of need,” said Howell.
Blowing snow and temperatures that were in the single digits at times did not slow down the training.
“Motivation is high; the Soldiers have had some adverse weather to get through. All the Soldiers of Brave Company are focused on 1,000 out of 1,000 on Table VI,” said Capt. Daniel McGrath, commander, Company B, 2nd Bn., 23rd Inf. Reg. “This qualification is to ensure we are proficient on all heavy weapons and we can employ them effectively in any mission.”