U.S. Soldiers with the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division engage targets with an M240B machine gun from their mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle during a convoy protection platform gunnery qualification at Karliki, Poland, July 29, 2025. The live-fire exercise tested the Soldiers' ability to effectively engage threats while conducting convoy security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Soldiers with Charlie Company, 553rd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division return from the range in their mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles as Soldiers from the 142nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, prepare to enter the range during a convoy protection platform gunnery at Karliki, Poland, July 29, 2025. The continuous rotation of units ensured all assigned personnel completed their gunnery qualification requirements during the training exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Army Sgt. Kevin Mancao, an intelligence analyst with the 142nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, removes the barrel of an M2 machine gun after completing a convoy protection platform gunnery qualification at Karliki, Poland, July 29, 2025. The live-fire exercise tested the Soldiers' ability to effectively engage threats while conducting convoy security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Army Sgt. Samuel Boakye, left, and Pfc. Robert Holcomb, right, petroleum supply specialists with Alpha Company, 87th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, refuel a vehicle during a convoy protection platform gunnery range at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. The Soldiers provided fuel support to ensure all vehicles remained operational throughout the training exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, set up camouflage netting over the ammunition control point during preparations for a convoy protection platform gunnery range at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. The camouflage netting provided concealment for ammunition and personnel while ensuring proper accountability and distribution of live rounds during the training exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

From left to right, U.S. Army Maj. Tyler Cline, operations officer of the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Staff Sgt. Jayden Hollis, the brigade master gunner, 1st Lt. Lisette Sandoval, brigade provost marshal, and Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Rosario, brigade provost sergeant, observe vehicle crews as they prepare to conduct a convoy protection platform gunnery at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. The leadership team monitored safety protocols and ensured proper procedures were followed before live-fire training commenced. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Lisette Sandoval, provost marshal of the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, explains vehicle navigation procedures using a sand table during a convoy protection platform gunnery range at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. The sand table provided a visual representation of the range layout to ensure all participants understood the course before the live-fire iterations began. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Army Capt. Quinten Craft, communications officer in charge, 142nd Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, briefs vehicle crews using a sand table during a convoy protection platform gunnery range at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. The briefing ensured all crew members understood their roles and the range layout before conducting live-fire training. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tyeshia Pascoe, a signal support systems specialist, assigned to the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, prepares a simple key loader to distribute communication security keys to radios used by Soldiers during a convoy protection platform gunnery range at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. Secure communications are essential for coordinating convoy movements and ensuring safety during live-fire training exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division along with Soldiers from the 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, unload water and meals, ready to eat to sustain personnel during a convoy protection platform gunnery range at Karliki, Poland, July 28, 2025. The logistical support ensured Soldiers remained hydrated and fed throughout the training exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Lefty Larimer)

CAMP KARLIKI, Poland – When U.S. Army 1st Lt. Lissette Sandoval began planning a convoy protection platform gunnery range for sustainment soldiers in Poland, she understood it would be more than just weapons training, it would also serve as a comprehensive logistics exercise that tested her unit's ability to coordinate, supply and sustain complex operations.

"One of the biggest logistical challenges was coordinating movement from Forward Operating Site Powidz, Poland, to Camp Aachen, Germany, in order to utilize the virtual training center for Table 2 training," said Sandoval, provost marshal for the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Task Force Muleskinner, who served as the range officer in charge. "That required extensive planning, synchronization and transportation resources."

The July 27-28 convoy protection platform gunnery qualification at Karliki, Poland, served as the culminating event of a months-long training pipeline. It took soldiers through drivers training, weapons training and virtual gunnery training before bringing together personnel from multiple sustainment units to test their ability to engage targets while operating crew-served weapons from mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles.

For sustainment units, this training fills a critical gap between their primary logistics mission and the reality of operating in contested environments.

"Sustainment units play a critical role in supporting combat operations, and their convoys often operate in environments where threats are present," Sandoval explained. "This training ensures that our soldiers know how to defend themselves and protect critical supply assets if they encounter hostile action."

Staff Sgt. Jayden Hollis, the master gunner, DSB, 1AD, emphasized that successful qualification requires more than just marksmanship skills.

"Gun teams must show proficiency in weapons handling, communication, target engagement, and movement under control to meet all convoy protection platform gunnery qualification standards," Hollis said.

The range tested crews on M240B machine guns and M2 machine guns, with each team member having distinct responsibilities. Truck commanders served as overall leaders executing fire commands, while gunners engaged targets and drivers maintained platform mobility during engagements.

Target detection and identification, crew communication and coordination, and engagement timing and accuracy were among the most common challenges soldiers faced, according to Hollis.

Beyond the tactical skills, the range required extensive coordination between units from across TF Muleskinner. Soldiers from the Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division participated in the planning and execution of the training alongside DSB, 1AD soldiers.

"The cooperation across the board was impressive," Sandoval noted. "We had officers from different battalions coming together, pooling resources and problem-solving as a team to make this range successful."

The training also incorporated realistic stressors, including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-contaminated environments and medical evacuation scenarios.

"For example, one lane simulated a crewmember being wounded with a shoulder injury, and the team had to respond accordingly," Sandoval said. "All of this was designed to ensure they could operate their platform effectively while managing real-world battlefield stressors."

Supporting the range required a coordinated effort from multiple specialties. Signal support systems specialists distributed communication security keys to radios, petroleum supply specialists provided fuel support, and small arms repairers maintained weapons systems throughout the exercise.

The training culminated with impressive results – nine crews successfully qualified, representing a 100% increase from an initial gunnery iteration.

"But even more meaningful was knowing that every crew left the range more lethal and more confident than when they arrived," Sandoval said.

For Hollis, the success reflected the dedication of the soldiers themselves.

"The success of this range was driven by soldiers' preparation, teamwork, and adaptability under stress," he said. "Each team took ownership of their roles, and their performance reflected pride, readiness, and commitment to mission excellence."

The training underscored a fundamental principle for sustainment operations in contested environments – the ability to complete the mission even under fire.

"It's not just about survival, it's about maintaining the mission," Sandoval emphasized. "If a sustainment convoy gets ambushed or blocked, they need to respond decisively and continue the mission. This gunnery training gives our troops the confidence and skillset to do exactly that."