"Black Jack" brigade gunnery certifies tank crews

By Maj. Carson Petry (1st CAV)June 18, 2018

2ABCT, 1CD shoots table VI gunnery
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2ABCT, 1CD shoots table VI
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2ABCT, 1CD shoots table VI
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FORT HOOD, Tx.-M1 Abrams from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division escaped their confinement of garrison motor pools and came alive on the tank trails of Fort Hood's ranges as "Black Jack" executed tank gunnery Jun 4-16 here.

After returning from a 9-month deployment to Korea in March, newly formed tank crews were given the opportunity to qualify with their tank, certifying their lethality for the brigade.

"The importance of gunnery is to recertify our tank crews to maintain our 100% mission readiness for the Army," said Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Quarberg, brigade master gunner. "Table VI is our final crew qualification table. Later in the fall, we will conduct table VI platoon certification."

Table VI is the final table in certifying a tank crew during gunnery, but the path to table VI involves a tremendous amount of planning and training.

"The road to table VI includes a full 90-day train-up cycle leading up to gunnery," said Quarberg. "The Trooper must master their weapon's systems, operate in a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) environment, and demonstrate proficiency at 10-level tasks, the basic skill sets of their military occupational specialty (MOS)."

Quarberg said before beginning the qualification tables, the crews demonstrate proficiency in gunnery related skills through the gunnery skills test (GST) and get hands-on training with muzzle bore sighting devices. Once the Trooper masters the fundamentals, they are prepared to handle the rigors of live-fire gunnery.

Gunnery is a brigade supported effort, and the Forward Support Company (FSC) provides direct support to the combined arms battalion's maneuver elements. Tank crews ready to conduct live fire, roll through the FSC's ammo supply point (ASP), pick up their rounds, and roll through to the firing lines.

"Troopers don't have to worry about ammunitions," said Pvt. Zachary Krim, 88M, G FSC, 1-9 Cav. "Everything runs smoother and it makes me feel good that my fellow Soldiers are qualifying on their weapon's systems."

When the crew is not firing on the range, they're taking care of their equipment. Maintenance, test fire, qualification, and more maintenance. This is the life of a Trooper during gunnery. Soldiers sleep under cover of the nearest Oak tree or find relief from the heat under the shade of their trusted 68-ton tank.

Gunnery is an opportunity for the crew to focus entirely on crew qualification. They eat, sleep, and take care of their equipment at the range in a security formation. The cycle repeats during night fire and culminates with Table VI qualification.

Experienced leaders understand the value of range technology and support from Fort Hood's range control operations.

"This training builds us up in the most realistic scenarios of what we would be doing on the battlefield," said Staff Sgt. Charles F. Johnson Jr. 19K, D 4-9, tank commander. "The scenarios are generated in the same intensity and pace of real-life scenarios."

Staff Sgt. Johnson's crews are newly formed, and gunnery allows them to build their team and master the challenges of working as a crew.

"Our crews have greatly improved throughout gunnery," said Johnson. "One of my crews is brand new and having fresh crews gives longevity to the unit. They will qualify three or four times with the unit ensuring 4-9 Cav is war ready."

In the garrison environment, meticulous care of equipment is the priority of a tank crew, but gunnery affords them the opportunity to experience the capabilities of their M1 Abrams tank.

"It gives the drivers a chance to open the vehicle up and experience its capabilities in an open field and course roads," said Johnson. "And as far as maneuverability, once we get into situational training exercise (STX), we will be able to move around as platoons and sections and see what these beasts can do."

Table VI is what the Troopers call the "super bowl of gunnery." It's where bragging rights come in to play. Where the title "top tank" is given. Gunnery tests the Troopers tactical proficiency and mental toughness. It makes the Troopers feel like they're in the fight somewhere downrange.

Gunnery may be over for now, but the bi-annual requirement means planning for the next gunnery is already underway.

"We've started the planning phase for fall gunnery in October," said Quarberg. "We will create shot sheets, coordinate for ranges, and request ammunitions. There is a lot of planning that is involved in the execution of gunnery. We plan on shooting a Table XII which includes incorporating mortars and attack aviation."

Black jack's gunnery was a success. 49 tank crews qualified and are ready now to assume mission as the premier Armored Brigade Combat Team for 1st Cavalry Division.