By Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Artillerymen with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare their M777 howitzer for rapid movement at Fort Carson July 25, 2017, during a firing table exercise where simulated mortars are targeting them, causing limited visibility (yellow smoke). (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
Gun crews assigned to 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, completed firing table certifications at Fort Carson July 17-26, 2017, as part of the unit’s training preparation for the upcoming brigade level Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) next month.
With an average crew of five to seven for the M119A3 howitzer and eight for the M777 howitzer. Every crew member has a different and unique role during firing table exercises. The 2-77 FA Reg., 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, also has the unique role of supporting the only light infantry BCT in the entire III Corps.
“There is no one part of the team that’s more crucial than the other. It takes every single Soldier, sergeant and section chief to make artillery happen,” said Capt. Nicholas A. Abbott, commander, Battery B, 2-77 FA Reg. “We do a series of tables that lead up to a brigade-size exercise.”
Artillerymen with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fire an M777 howitzer at Fort Carson July 25, 2017, during a firing table fire mission. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
He further explained the progression of firing tables.
“Once the platoon’s certified and qualified, which we’re doing now, we move onto battery, that’s my level where I issue tactical and technical fire direction for the gun lines to shoot,” he said.
An artillery battery is a crucial enabler for a light infantry brigade like 2nd IBCT.
“Once the batteries are successfully qualified, the brigade can use each battery effectively in CALFEX, supporting the infantry maneuver mission with indirect fires to suppress, neutralize or kill the enemy,” said Abbott.
The batteries are also used to provide cover and concealment support.
Artillerymen with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, load an M777 howitzer with a live round at Fort Carson July 25, 2017, during a firing table fire mission. Gun crews completed firing table certifications July 17-26, 2017, in preparation for next month’s brigade-level Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX). Firing tables increase the combat readiness of batteries while supporting light infantry maneuvering on the battlefield. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
“We’ll use smoke rounds if they ask for smoke to conceal them for movement from one location to another. Once that smoke screen is put in place, then our forward ground troops can operate to where they need to be,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Gutierrez, crew chief with Battery B, 2-77 FA Reg.
The battery commander explained an advantage the modern-day artillerymen have compared to in the past.
“Back in Vietnam, field artillery was very centralized, you couldn’t move your howitzers and fire direction center in time and space, they had to be collocated because they had to use wires to connect radio communications,” said Abbott. “Today, we have fully digital systems, we still use analog systems to safe and lay the battery, but the primary means of firing howitzers during fire missions is through digital systems.”
“The FTC and guns are fully digital, you can have your guns a thousand meters away from your FTC, still talk and do fire missions; it’s very autonomous,” he explained.
Firing tables like this and at a CALFEX are designed to increase the combat readiness of batteries while supporting light infantry maneuvering on the battlefield.
“It gives them a really good understanding of what being field artillerymen really means; how to be proficient at your craft,” said Abbott. “Continue the legacy of field artillery being the king of battle.”
Artillerymen with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fire an M777 howitzer at Fort Carson July 25, 2017, during a firing table fire mission. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
Artillerymen with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fire an M777 howitzer at Fort Carson July 25, 2017, during a firing table fire mission. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
Artillerymen with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, practice an M119A3 howitzer crew drill with a live round at Fort Carson July 24, 2017. 2-77 FA batteries directly support the “Warhorse” Brigade by providing artillery fires to infantry ground units. (Photo by Sgt. Shane McGowan)
Staff Sgt. Adam Gutierrez, crew chief with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, supervises his Soldiers during a M119A3 howitzer crew drill at Fort Carson July 24, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Shane McGowan)