Fort Sill Artillery Half Section rides in Lawton Rangers Rodeo

By Cindy McIntyre, Fort Sill TribuneAugust 17, 2017

Half Section 1
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Half Section 2
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Fort Sill Artillery Half Section warms up before its demonstration at the Lawton Rangers Rodeo, held at the LO Ranch, Aug. 9, 2017. The rodeo has been a local staple since 1939. The guidon is from B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Half Section 3
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The tour of special duty for the Soldiers assigned to the Half Section is typically one year. Previous riding experience is not necessary. On Military Day (Aug. 11, 2017), Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Fagan rode in ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Half Section 4
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Half Section fire!
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Horsie face
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Half Section rosette
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Star sun
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FORT SILL, Okla. (Aug. 17, 2017) -- Patriotism runs high at the Lawton Rangers Rodeo, and the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section has been a perennial favorite to open the competition.

The horsemen and gunners gallop around the arena, halt to unhitch the cannon, quickly load the ammunition, and fire a round before hitching it back to the limber. The two gunners on each end of the seat hop in first, then the middle Soldier leaps between them before the team gallops off.

It's a reminder of Fort Sill's history, when horses were the major mode of transport of men, supplies, and weapons.

They carry the guidon of Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general Maj. Gen. Brian McKiernan's first command.