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Marines Train Afghans During Live-fire Exercise
American Forces Press Service ^
| Sgt. Matt Moeller, USA
Posted on 08/05/2009 3:59:43 PM PDT by SandRat
NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Aug. 5, 2009 A 46-pound artillery round explodes into the hills surrounding Forward Operating Base Kalagush here as Afghan National Army forward observers watch patiently, consulting their maps.
![Click photo for screen-resolution image Click photo for screen-resolution image](http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/newsstoryPhoto/2009-08/lrs_090802-A-1211M-004(sized).jpg) An Afghan soldier covers his ears as a fellow soldier fires a D-30 122 mm howitzer artillery cannon during a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Afghanistans Nuristan province, Aug. 2, 2009. The training marked the first time 4th Kandak forward observers called in an artillery strike for Afghan artillerymen. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
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After an adjustment, Afghan officers from the 4th Kandak enter new data into their computers and relay updated coordinates to the artillerymen waiting to fire. Within moments, the 7,000 pound D-30 122 mm howitzer artillery cannon blasts another round; this time its a direct hit.
The cloud of smoke growing in the distance Aug. 2 marked the first time 4th Kandak forward observers, fire direction control personnel and artillerymen have worked together to conduct live-fire training, said Marine Corps 1st Lt. Steve Murello of Embedded Training Team 4-4.
Most of the guys, when they come out of school, are trained for just direct fire. Theyre not trained to work with forward observers or the [fire direction control], so if they cant see it, they cant shoot it, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Enrique Munoz said. By incorporating them, now the gun-line doesnt need to have eyes on [the target].
Its all done for them.
The embedded training team took on a supporting role as Afghan officers conducted the training, starting with basic techniques such as reading a map and compass, and moving into more advanced methods such as using the newly developed Afghan field artillery computer.
But the days events did not come easy at times.
Accustomed to training separately, forward observers and fire direction control personnel had a series of communication breakdowns, which left the gun-lines D-30 howitzer silent for long stretches of time.
The Afghan teams eventually worked through the breakdowns, and the forward observers successfully helped the artillery pound round after round into the hills using their cannon, which was left behind by the Soviet Union in the 1980s and is older than many of the men firing it.
It was some good training, Murello said. Overall, they did very well.
This shows that my soldiers can fight for our country, Afghan army 1st Sgt. Roohullah Shirzi said. If [the enemy] tries to hurt our people, then we will be able to destroy them.
Members of Embedded Training Team 4-4 are nearing completion of their nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. Marines from the 3rd Marine Division, based in Okinawa, Japan, will pick up the mission.
(Army Sgt. Matt Moeller serves with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
Related Sites: U.S. Forces Afghanistan U.S. Forces Afghanistan on Twitter U.S. Forces Afghanistan on Facebook U.S. Forces Afghanistan on YouTube NATO International Security Assistance Force
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![Click photo for screen-resolution image Click photo for screen-resolution image](http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/newsstoryPhoto/2009-08/thm_090802-A-1211M-005(sized).jpg) |
An Afghan field artillery officer looks through the sights of a D-30 122 mm howitzer artillery cannon during a live-fire exercise incorporating the Afghan armys 4th Kandak forward observers, fire direction control personnel and artillerymen at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Afghanistans Nuristan province, Aug. 2, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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![Click photo for screen-resolution image Click photo for screen-resolution image](http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/newsstoryPhoto/2009-08/thm_090802-A-1211M-007(sized).jpg) |
Forward observers from the Afghan armys 4th Kandak check compasses during a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Afghanistans Nuristan province, Aug. 2, 2009. Marines from Embedded Training Team 4-4 showed Afghan soldiers basic map and compass reading during the training. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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![Click photo for screen-resolution image Click photo for screen-resolution image](http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/newsstoryPhoto/2009-08/thm_090802-A-1211M-010(sized).jpg) |
Marine Corps 1st Lt. Steve Murello of Embedded Training Team 4-4 listens as an Afghan officer explains the coordinates used during a live-fire exercise incorporating the Afghan armys 4th Kandak forward observers, fire direction control personnel and artilleryman at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Afghanistans Nuristan province, Aug. 2, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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![Click photo for screen-resolution image Click photo for screen-resolution image](http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/newsstoryPhoto/2009-08/thm_090802-A-1211M-011(sized).jpg) |
Afghan officers check the coordinates on a D-30 122 mm howitzer artillery cannon during a live-fire exercise incorporating the Afghan armys 4th Kandak forward observers, fire direction control personnel and artilleryman at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Afghanistans Nuristan province, Aug. 2, 2009. Marines of Embedded Training Team 4-4 hosted the training event. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Moeller Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution
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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; artillery; frwn; livefire
1
posted on
08/05/2009 3:59:43 PM PDT
by
SandRat
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posted on
08/05/2009 4:00:09 PM PDT
by
SandRat
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