Enemies beware of M198's wrath: Fox 2/11 test fires CWC 729's Howitzers

Marine Link ^ | Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Enemies beware of M198's wrath: Fox 2/11 test fires CWC 729's Howitzers
Submitted by: MCLB Barstow
Story Identification #: 20049316850
Story by Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb



MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif.  (Sept. 2, 2004) -- After being in Iraq for the first months of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Marines of Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, stationed at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., tested 19, M198 Howitzers at the Prospect Range Aug. 27, that were rebuilt by Maintenance Center Barstow's Cost Work Center 729 at the Prospect Range.

The battery was attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and fired the first combat artillery round in Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Lance Cpl. Matthew Mulvane, a Milan, Ohio native who works as a gunner for one of the battery's crews.

CWC 729 is responsible for rebuilding, test firing and road testing the howitzers that come into its shop, said Doug Van Dyke, the supervisor for CWC 729.

The M198s have a caliber of 155 millimeters, and are towed pieces of artillery, which are used by Marine Air Ground Task Forces for direct and indirect artillery support. CWC 729 is also in the process of restoring World War II era M101 Howitzer Cannons, which are 105 mm and are to be sold and used for Avalanche control, Van Dyke said.

Just like M16A2 Service Rifles, the M198s have different types of rounds that can be used to accomplish different jobs, said Mulvane. Such rounds include rocket-assisted rounds, which can reach a distance of 18 miles and have a kill radius of 50 meters. Another round is capable of ejecting mines to the ground, which will not detonate until set off by the enemy, said Mulvane.

The most appreciated round in OIF was a round, which dispelled grenades, known as bouncing betties, said Mulvane. The ground troops told the battery that those rounds did the most damage to insurgents when they were used.

Van Dyke said that even though CWC 729 is responsible for getting the M198s out to the troops in superior working order, it is the Marines of the artillery batteries who do all of the real work.

-30-

Photos included with story:

 

	The "#1 Man" was firing this weapon for testing purposes, and standing next to the gun was the gunner, who put the sights on the target. According to members of the Fox 2/11, the location that is least effected by the shockwave from the discharge, is the area directly behind the cannon. The further you get to being on-line with the Howitzer the more intense the shockwave is. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb
	Marines from Fox 2/11 make up a loading crew for one M198-Howitzer, which was being test fired at the Prospect Range on MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Calif. The loading crew consists of Marines who load the round, a powder man, a gunner who puts the sights on the target and a "#1 man" who opens and closes the breach. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb
	Before one of the M198-Howitzers, that were being tested by the Marines of Fox 2/11, was fired, the Marine pulling the lanyard had to receive the command to pull. The Command is given by the Crew Cheif who double checks everything before he shouts out in a commanding voice, "FIRE!" Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb
	This Marine from Fox 2/11 fires an M198 Howitzer on the Prospect Range at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Calif. The key to an efficient firing, is getting rid of the slack in the lanyard, said Lance Cpl. Matthew Mulvane. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb
	A crew of Marines from the Fox 2/11, set up one of the 19, M198-Howitzers, which were brought to the Prospect Range on MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Calif. Some things that the Marines have to remember when setting up the weapon, is to make sure the base of it is dug into the ground, and all of the components are in working order. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Nich R. Babb

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

  

 

2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, bad news for the bad guys, bang.~*

[Prime Choice]

Wow. Now I know what to put on my birthday wish list! : )

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I am shocked and outraged to learn that Fox News has test fired howitzers. Sure, I like the 'fair & balanced' network as much as the next FReeper, and I understand that they have to take an aggressive approach in the face of the liberal media.

Still, howitzers? No, I say. I draw the line at this kind of overly militaristic, dare I say potentiallty dangerous . . .

What? It's not Fox News? It's Fox battery of the Marines' 11th regiment? Never mind.

[Darksheare]

FAMPL ping.

M198's playing rough.
];-)

[freedumb2003]

am shocked and outraged to learn that Fox News has test fired howitzers. Sure, I like the 'fair & balanced' network as much as the next FReeper, and I understand that they have to take an aggressive approach in the face of the liberal media.

If you ask me it's about 10 years too late. Shoulda took 'em out before the liberal roots took deep hold.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Well, on second thought, maybe you're on to something ;-)

[SAMWolf]

RedLeg Bump

[asgardshill]

Speaking strictly from ignorance on my part, doesn't it seem ironic that the power of this incredible weapon, the latest result of 300 years of research into the art of land gunnery, is unleashed by a piece of string?

[nicko]

Queen of Battle bump

[blackie]

Big Guns ~ Bump!

[T-Bird45]

Appreciate the bump, Chief, but Field Artillery is the "King of Battle".

Like your sig anyway, though....

[The Duke]

As I've been saying for some time, we'll know we're getting SERIOUS about the War on Terror when we start using good ol' low-tech artillery. An artillery barrage commands MUCH more respect than a few bombs dropped from a few airplanes, and has a much stronger psychological impact.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[RedlegCPT]

Chief that we are also know as Balls of the Queen.

[MediaMole]

Yeah, but that piece of string has a milspec description 152 pages long and cost the taxpayer $500.00.

[July 4th]

I wondered about that myself. I guess if someone nukes the electronics, it can still be fired.

[asgardshill]

And its only available through the military supply system. Plain ol' kite string ain't gonna cut it.

[Lancey Howard]

Great post! My artillery unit spent some time at Twentynine Palms in 1984. Those pictures really take me back! I remember, like it was yesterday, wandering over from the FDC (where I worked) to the gun lines from time to time to watch the action. We used the 105s and 155s in the early '80s and it is amazing that they are STILL refurbishing them and using them today.

I'm sure the FDC has changed plenty. We used horizontal charts and protractors and table-books back then. Shortly before I got out they were starting to switch to Texas Instruments calculators on which were fitted special templates. I can hardly imagine what an FDC does these days.

Semper fidelis,
LH

[nicko]

head space and timing error...blame it on the Bud Light...