Mustangs bring current gunnery to close

By Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd BCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.October 5, 2010

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FORT HOOD, Texas- One by one, 20 Bradley Fighting Vehicle crews took their turn eliminating targets and then received their scores; bringing their field exercise to an end.

Infantrymen from A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, took part in a Table VI Bradley qualification, here, Sept. 29.

The qualification was the sixth and final level for the company's gunnery exercise, said 1st Lt. Jason Falcone, a Lafayette, Colo. native and executive officer for A Co.

The three-man Bradley crews range objectives included engaging dismounted targets, wheeled and track vehicles, said Falcone.

The crews qualification was based on points earned while completing the range, said Staff Sgt. Jared Wiegand, a Fort Wayne, Ind. native and the battalion's master gunner.

Gunnery is two-fold-qualifying and knowing the crews are proficient with their work.

"[Gunnery] hones their skills as part of a heavy brigade combat team," said Falcone. "It builds their personal confidence and their team work as well".

Qualifying in gunnery starts with completing tables one through five, said Maj. Kevin Jefferson, the battalion's operations officer.

Weeks prior to the range Soldiers conducted preliminary ranges, crew drills, target acquisition and day and night engagements, said Jefferson.

"We've learned a lot in the last few tables (by) correcting a lot of malfunctions but since this last table all my experiences will be used to good effect," said Spc. Darren Leon, an Enid, Okla. native and infantryman for A Co.

The next mission for A Co. is 'un-stabilized' or 'light-cavalry' gunnery, said Falcone.