FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team conducted sniper familiarization and qualification at Trapnell Sniper Range Feb. 11.
The purpose of the range was to train the battalion's scout platoon sniper section on long range marksmanship skills in preparation for the unit's deployment to Iraq this summer.
The snipers from the "Hounds of Hell" battalion shot the M24 sniper rifle at targets ranging from 100 to 800 meters. The snipers operated in pairs with one spotter and one firer.
"I personally felt that the Trapnell Sniper Range provided great training on the M24 sniper system," said Spc. Ryan Campbell, a Soldier in the battalion's headquarters company. "It allowed us to hone our skills as well as improve upon many aspects such as windage calculations, range estimation and sniper team communication. Ranges like these are crucial to the continuing improvement of Fort Hood's sniper and recon forces."
The Soldiers learned essential marksmanship skills that will be used in the upcoming deployment to Iraq.
"(The) sniper range was a good chance to refine our trait of precision long range fire," said Sgt. Michael Potter, also of the battalion's headquarters. "It was some of the best training I've taken part in since I've been here at Fort Hood."
In addition to the unit's sniper teams, other Soldiers familiarized themselves on the M24 sniper rifle and practiced their M4 carbine marksmanship skills at long range distances. Scouts practiced shooting pop-up targets at ranges from 100 to 300 meters from the prone, kneeling and standing positions.
The battalion's Command Sgt. Maj. William May shared some vital marksmanship insight with the firers.
As part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., the "Hounds of Hell" is continuing to train during a time of tremendous change. The battalion will reflag to become the 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., as part of the brigade's reflagging from 4th Inf. Div. to 1st Cav. Div. on March 7.
The brigade is also scheduled to conduct a rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., this March in preparation for their summer deployment.
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