A deafening blast rocked the earth and, a split second later, an explosion downrange sent debris flying in all directions. The sound of the big guns filled the atmosphere at the Korean Training Center when 1st Bn., 15th FA conducted live-fire training Jan. 10.
The training consisted of several different elements from 1-15's arsenal. Soldiers also performed military operations in urban terrain training.
"We have Howitzers that are moving down the main range into a series of battle positions and then engaging targets with their M2 .50-caliber machine gun," said Capt. Paul Lashley, commander, Btry. A, 1st Bn., 15th FA.
"At the same time, we have four of our resupply vehicles providing covering fire with their MK-19 grenade launcher. Along with that we have another platoon from our battery positioned at Firing Point 180 providing indirect suppressive fire."
The goal of this complicated scenario is to allow the Howitzers to maneuver within range of the target and engage it with their main gun, while other elements of the unit provide covering fire.
"Typically, the Howitzer's 155mm rounds are used indirectly, but today they're being used as direct fire to the tank target," Lashley said.
The purpose of the training was to demonstrate to the Soldiers, many of whom have never seen combat, how the unit would fight as a whole in real-life circumstances, in sync with one another.
"I want the Soldiers to see how their platoon moves as a whole," Lashley said.
The Soldiers of 1-15, were given this opportunity to learn valuable lessons that will considerably improve their performance in the future.
"It's a really good opportunity for the Soldiers to cross-train and learn all of the different positions within their section," Carpenter said.
"The training is exciting from a leadership perspective to see us doing something outside the box, rather than the same thing every time," Lashley said.
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