Fort Bragg FA Execute HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HI-RAIN) exercise

U.S. Army Sgt. Jacob Ramirez, a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS/HIMARS) crewmember, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), raises a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, to simulate accuracy of live rounds, at... — U.S. Army Sgt. Jacob Ramirez, a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS/HIMARS) crewmember, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), raises a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, to simulate accuracy of live rounds, at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, July 20, 2020. These 3-27th FAR (HIMARS) crews are conducting simulated Artillery Raids in preparation for future large scale combat operations.
(U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Daniel J. Alkana, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Daniel Alkana) VIEW ORIGINAL

Lt. Col. John Bradley, commander, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), directs personnel after disembarking from a C-17 Globemaster III, in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, for an artillery raid exercise on July 20, 2020. Crews from the... — Lt. Col. John Bradley, commander, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), directs personnel after disembarking from a C-17 Globemaster III, in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, for an artillery raid exercise on July 20, 2020. Crews from the 3-27th FAR (HIMARS) have been conducting fire missions to enhance readiness in preparation for future large scale operations.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel J. Alkana, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Daniel Alkana) VIEW ORIGINAL

Crewmembers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), unload a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, from a C-17 Globemaster III, en route to a simulated firing mission, at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, July... — Crewmembers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), unload a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, from a C-17 Globemaster III, en route to a simulated firing mission, at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, July 20, 2020. These 3-27th FAR (HIMARS) crews are conducting simulated Artillery Raids in preparation for taking on the immediate reaction force (IRF) mission.
(U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Daniel J. Alkana, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Daniel Alkana) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), wait to disembark from a C-17 Globemaster III, after arriving at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, for an Artillery Raid, on July 20, 2020. These 3-27th FAR... — Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), wait to disembark from a C-17 Globemaster III, after arriving at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, for an Artillery Raid, on July 20, 2020. These 3-27th FAR (HIMARS) crews have been conducting fire missions to enhance readiness in preparation for future large scale combat operations.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel J. Alkana, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Daniel Alkana) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), prepare for take-off aboard a C-17 Globemaster III in preparation for an artillery raid exercise, at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, on July 20, 2020. These 3-27th... — Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (HIMARS), prepare for take-off aboard a C-17 Globemaster III in preparation for an artillery raid exercise, at Fort A.P. Hill Landing Zone, Virginia, on July 20, 2020. These 3-27th FAR (HIMARS) crews have been conducting simulated fire missions to enhance their readiness in preparation for future large scale combat operations.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel J. Alkana, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Daniel Alkana) VIEW ORIGINAL

What is it?

This joint operation exercise focuses on rehearsing the rapid deployment and forcible entry capability of the 3-27 FAR’s MLRS/HIMARS launchers combined with the 437th AW’s C-17 Globemaster III creating a ready and lethal strike package.

Both of these units certify and train on the following tasks in preparation for future large scale combat operations:

-Airload training

-Precision fires and artillery raids

-Establishment of Battlefield Command and Control

-Enhance functional readiness for rapid deployability

What happens?

Assigned units will receive an alert to mobilize. Within a 72 hour window:

-Both units must assemble their crews, prepare the MLRS/HIMARS and C-17 Globemaster III for joint interoperability.

-The HIMARS will be directed, chained and secured in the C-17.

-The airload master and crew will inspect the loading positions in order to maintain a proper center of gravity throughout flight.

Exercise Scenario:

-The C-17 Globemaster III transports the HIMARS and its crews from Pope Airfield to Fort A.P. Hill, Va., simulating a theater environment.

-After landing, with engines of the C-17 still running, Airmen and Soldiers off load the HIMARS and its crews.

The three-man HIMARS crews head to a designated firing point and within 30 minutes:

-Establish ongoing communication with the C-17 and nearby allies.

-Receive, validate and input coordinates

-Engage the designated targets.

Upon completion of the HI-RAIN simulation, the HIMARS crews drive back to the aircraft where the airwing loadmasters have prepared to secure the launchers.

Within 15 minutes of return to the aircraft, all personnel and equipment are secured and the aircraft is back enroute to Pope Army Airfield.

From beginning to end, Soldiers and Airmen are able to off-load, set up the HIMARS, engage targets, re-secure equipment and extract personnel and equipment in approximately 45 minutes.

Why is this important to the Army?

The 3-27 FAR (HIMARS) and the 437th AW supports the U.S. Military’s joint interoperability readiness by demonstrating rapid deployability and delivering deep shaping fires to the battlefield.

The exercise proved that HIRAIN is a scalable, responsive and viable asset for use by combatant commands in large scale combat operations.

Resources:

ADRP 3-09 Fires

Fort Bragg FA Execute HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HI-RAIN) exercise

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