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1ST ARMORED DIVISION PALADIN BATTALION FIRES QUALIFICATION GUNNERY IN BAGHDAD

V Corps Release

Release Date: 12/18/2003

By Sgt. Christopher Stanis 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment of Task Force 1st Armored Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team - the U.S.-based brigade of V Corps' 1st Armored Division - is finishing up its semiannual gunnery certification here this week.

And here really means HERE. While other task force units are conducting gunnery at Butler Range, approximately 50 kilometers away from the 3rd Brigade area of operations, 4/1st is firing its big guns - M109 Paladin howitzers firing 155mm artillery rounds -- within the city's borders.

Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. James Savitski said the unit gets an added benefit from conducting its certification within the city. In addition to qualifying, it is a "show of force," he said.

The big guns are keeping the division on the offensive and the enemy confused by showing that Task Force 1st Armored Division is capable of reacting with counter-fire to anybody who decides to shoot mortars or rockets at coalition-controlled areas, he said.

Savitski added that the location took a lot of mission-oriented stress off the unit's soldiers.

"Because of the mission we were already doing, we had to figure out how to maximize our time and personnel," he continued. "This plan allows us to support the division's efforts and still get our teams qualified."

But it is not simple lobbing rounds in a city.

An open field was quarantined to serve as the impact zone, with signs posted around the perimeter warning residents to stay away. Psychological operations teams were also used to inform residents about the live training, and airspace within the approximately six-mile distance between the firing site and impact zone was cleared of all aircraft.

Ten types of missions are conducted during the gunnery. For the gunners of the 4/1st, the training seems to be a welcome break from their normal routine of patrols and guard duty.

"I didn't think I would get to fire in Iraq," said Spc. Joe Wilridge, a Paladin crewmember with Battery A, 4/1st. "I love shooting rounds. I'm doing what I get paid to do."