FORT RILEY, Kan. (Jan. 8, 2014) -- Pfc. Devon Moreno, unable to clear the smile from his face, described firing an anti-tank missile.
"At first, when you fire it, it's going to click," the 20-year-old cavalry scout said. "Then there's a brief pause and then it's like, I guess, a volcano. It just erupts and just bangs and then the vehicle shakes and then it gets really hot. It gets really hot."
Moreno and five other troopers from the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, were at a Fort Riley range Dec. 11 -- the final step in a three-day competition to see who was the "Quarterhorse" squadron's top tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile shot.
The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) missiles serve as the primary long-range, anti-armor "punch" of a light cavalry squadron, according to information from the unit. They are capable of knocking out the heaviest and most modern tanks at ranges of almost two miles.
What was it like to watch downrange as live missiles he fired blew up targets?
"Speechless," Moreno, a Lakeside, California-native said. "It's definitely exciting."
In early December, brigade leaders learned 30 live TOW missiles in the division's stock were nearing the end of their shelf life. The squadron's Soldiers conducted a TOW live-fire qualification in July, and Quarterhorse leaders jumped at the opportunity use the missiles to further develop their young troopers.
Leaders designed a competition with brackets to see who in the squadron would get the rare opportunity to fire multiple live TOW missiles and prove they were the Quarterhorse's best.
Sgt. 1st Class James Price, the squadron's master gunner, led a virtual training session to narrow the field. Tables and chairs in one of the squadron's conference rooms were pushed aside and Soldiers' skills were tested using a device -- a launcher connected to a computer filled with training simulations. It's the same system leaders use to prepare Soldiers to fire missiles in the field.
The idea behind the simulations is simple: train Soldiers how to safely operate the equipment and engage targets before they fire live missiles, Price said.
Firing a TOW missile in a combat environment is a difficult task and relies on the skill of the gunner and the two other crewmembers -- a driver and truck commander.
"It's not like slapping a magazine in a rifle and blazing away," Price said. "The entire crew is involved in acquiring a target, firing the missile, tracking the missile to the target over the time of flight and then going through the crew drill of loading another 50-pound missile and repositioning the scout truck."
For the Quarterhorse troopers, the train up and competition kept their basic skills sharp or, for those new to the unit, taught them how to safely fire the missiles without expending thousands and thousands of dollars of the Army's money, Price added. Live TOW missiles cost about $20,000 each, according to information from the squadron.
The opportunity to shoot multiple live TOW missiles in a single training session was a rare one.
In the Army's current operating environment, a TOW gunner is lucky to shoot even a single missile outside of combat, Maj. Jerem Swenddal, the squadron's operations officer, said.
"And even that is rare these days," he added.
Moreno, who is assigned to Troop A, was well aware of his unique position. Soon after the last competition fired his last missile, the scores were tallied and Moreno's title as the squadron's top gun was sealed, he processed the significance of the event.
"It was crazy," Moreno said. "Most people get to shoot one or two in their lifetime and I got to shoot six right there."
Aside from the competition and camaraderie the shoot created, leaders looked down the road.
"Following this training, several of our gunners will have fired over six live missiles in addition to the countless numbers fired in virtual simulations," Swenddal said, "making them some of the most experienced and highly trained TOW gunners in the U.S. Army."
That means even as the Soldiers move to different units at Fort Riley or across the world, they'll carry with them Quarterhorse training that will set them apart from their peers.
"We are extraordinarily proud of all these troopers," Lt. Col. Fred Dente, squadron commander, said about the competitors. "They gained confidence in this critical weapon system, and -- just as importantly -- they gained confidence in themselves and their teams. I know they will carry this experience with them for the rest of their careers."
Moreno said he was competitive and getting the top gun honor was not only exciting, but provided him with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"I feel honored," he said. "Training paid off, so it feels good and I feel accomplished."
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