Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, shoot M109A6 Paladin 155-mm Self-Propelled Howitzers during Combined Top Gun Competition with the Republic of Korea Army 7th Field Artillery Br...

Two M109A6 Paladin 155-mm Self-Propelled Howitzers drive through the field at Rooster 8 Training Area as they assume their firing positions during the Combined Top Gun Competition on Oct 24, 2013. The combined competition included the Republic of Kor...

Brig. Gen. Paul J. Laughlin, 2nd Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General-Maneuver, observes as 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team Soldiers compete during Combined Top Gun Competition with the Republic of Korea Army 7th Field Artillery Brigade, 661st...

CAMP HOVEY, South Korea -- Soldiers of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the Republic of Korea Army's 7th Artillery Brigade, 661st Field Artillery joined forces Oct. 24, participating in a Top Gun Competition at Rooster 8 Training Area, South Korea.

The U.S. and ROK Soldiers joined together to compete as combined teams in the event, working in concert over four days of tough events and strengthening the alliance with partnership and friendship.

"After the past three days of training side by side, trading war stories and food and becoming familiar with the ROKA in general, I truly believe that if we had to fight tonight we would be fully capable of performing as an efficient battle team," said Pfc. John Cunningham, a Paladin driver with A Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, and a native of Lucedale, MS.

In units Army-wide, earning Top Gun honors is a prestigious achievement all field artillery Soldiers strive for. Reinforcing the strong alliance of the United States' and South Korean forces adds weight and purpose to a rare opportunity given to 2nd Infantry Division Soldiers serving in the Republic of Korea.

The artillery Top Gun competition is an annually held evaluation conducted in the form of a competition. Each of the participating crews tested in a series of firing tasks and drills with the highest scoring United States Army and ROKA combined team earning top gun honors.