By 1st Lt. Kareem Abiose
Multinational Battle Group – East (KFOR) renaissance
CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSINGNY, Kosovo — Cpl. Jacob Mathes, team leader, and Sgt. Deion Horton both with 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, eliminating simulated targets as part of the culminating event for reflexive fire and target acquisition training May 17, 2018, at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassingny, Kosovo. (Photo by 1st Lt. Kareem Abiose)
CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSINGNY, Kosovo — Soldiers with 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted reflexive fire and target acquisition training with M4 rifles and M9 pistols May 17, 2018.
The training exercise, which was led by Staff Sgt. Christopher Martin and Staff Sgt. Leonard Robinson, both 1st Platoon squad leaders in Troop A, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT, began around 9 a.m. with reflexive fire training. Soldiers were required to identify their targets before engaging the enemy. They practiced reload drills on both their primary and secondary weapons before focusing on close-quarter marksmanship. The training taught the troops transition drills, ensuring they used the correct posture while handling their weapon system.
Staff Sgt. Leonard Robinson demonstrates proper hand placement and
sight picture with the M9 pistol during reflexive fire and target acquisition training May 17 at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassingny, Kosovo.
The 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT, is currently deployed to Kosovo on a nine-month peacekeeping and security mission. The regiment is the main maneuver element for Kosovo Force’s (KFOR) Multi-National Battle Group-East.
“I scheduled this training for my Soldiers due to the nature of the Kosovo mission,” said 1st Lt. Joshua A. Hurlbut, first platoon leader, Troop A, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT. “The ability to distinguish a hostile threat, positively identify that threat, and utilize the appropriate force is vital for the Soldiers to understand and implement. We are focusing on the weapons systems that are used in our current mission, but the training is applicable for any environment. Fortunately, my section leaders, Staff Sgt. Martin and Staff Sgt. Robinson, are two of the most skilled and competent staff sergeants I have ever worked with.”
CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSINGNY, Kosovo — Soldiers with 1st Platoon, Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct “ready-up” drills during reflexive fire and target acquisition training May 17, 2018, at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassingny, Kosovo. (Photo by 1st Lt. Kareem Abiose)
At 2 p.m., Soldiers executed the culminating event of the training where four-person teams received contact while driving a vehicle. The Soldiers had to exit the vehicle, identify, engage and eliminate the enemy. While keeping cover behind a Humvee the Soldiers simulated engaging the enemy. After the trainer told the Soldiers the threat was eliminated, they approached the firing box and reacted to a close-quarters enemy. They worked together to engage the enemy and took turns reloading their weapons and switching out their weapon systems, until the enemy was down.
“It is good to take Soldiers and train on an event that is practical to their job,” said Cpl. Jacob R. Mathes, team leader, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg., 2nd IBCT.
Mathes said he looks forward to continuing similar training with his section.
CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSINGNY, Kosovo — Spc. Sheldon Babin with 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reloads his weapon to engage targets during reflexive fire and target acquisition training May 17, 2018, at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassingny, Kosovo. (Photo by 1st Lt. Kareem Abiose)
CAMP MARECHAL DE LATTRE DE TASSINGNY, Kosovo — Sgt. Deion Horton and Cpl. Jacob Mathes, team leader, both with 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receive contact and exit the vehicle with M4 carbines to simulate engaging the enemy during reflexive fire and target acquisition training May 17, 2018, at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassingny, Kosovo. (Photo by 1st Lt. Kareem Abiose)