VAZIANI TRAINING AREA, Georgia - Soldiers assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted gunnery training, May 16 for the first time at Vaziani Training Area as part of Exercise Noble Partner 16.
The annual exercise May 11 through 26 and includes approximately 1300 participants from the U.S., Georgia and the U.K. The exercise is a reoccurring training event that takes place at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Noble Partner 16 is a critical part of Georgia's training for its contribution of a light infantry company to the NATO Response Force (NRF) and enhances Georgian territorial self-defense capability.
The day's training offered the Soldiers an opportunity to re-certify on the tank's multiple weapon systems and work together as a team.
The crews were evaluated on their performance on their ability to engage multiple targets while moving tactically throughout the course, which was at the back of the training area in the rolling green Georgian hills.
As the day drew on, all teams successful passed, ensuring 100-percent combat readiness.
While the course was U.S. specific, the Georgians played a critical role in logistical support and ensured the training was conducted safely and as scheduled.
"This is the first time the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank has conducted gunnery training in Vaziani Training Area," said 1st Lt. Dakota Lowery, executive officer assigned to Company A. "The Georgian Army has helped make this training a success with the setup of the range as we build on our relationship as partners."
While the live-fire qualification was the height of the day, it would not have happened if it were not for the Soldiers working through the previous night.
The many steps taken in the 24 hours before were tedious and included ammunition checks, maintenance and practice runs to build muscle memory.
Crews went through numerous dry runs on the tank 'tables' before they were able to fire the live ammunition.
Additionally, mechanics worked with tank crew members to ensure the Abrams were able to fight at full capacity.
"Our partners' tank crews share the same bond and passion for their job as we do." said Sgt. Zachary Carlston, a tank commander assigned to Company A. "It was a real honor to fire the first Abrams Tank round in Vaziani Training Area."
Georgia is a valued partner and important contributor to NATO-led security operations and exercises. The Georgian military has fought side by side with U.S. forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and supports efforts to build and sustain ready forces to maintain international security.
"It was an honor because it's something that has never been done before," said Pfc. Collin Haponenko, a tank gunner assigned to Company A. "It's a big rush sending a main round down range to engage a target it is a feeling that will never go away. When you pull the trigger and feel the blast and see it hit the target it is like no other feeling in the world, just knowing that this is my first time doing it in a different nation."
Over the past two weeks, the U.S., U.K. and Georgians have demonstrated their interoperability through multiple events at Noble Partner, including call for fire training, clearing buildings and battlefield tactics.
Additionally, the Georgian soldiers have learned about the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank in exchange U.S and U.K. soldiers have learned about the T-72 Main Battle Tank.
"The interoperability between the United States, United Kingdom and Georgian Forces has been a great experience and I will remember this for the rest of my life," said Carlston.
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