Unique Live-Fire Training Mitigate COVID-19 Rules
82nd Airborne Division, hosted a fire team training exercise near West McKeithan Pond, Fort Bragg, July 16, 2020. U.S. Army commanders use fire team training exercises and combat environment training areas to evaluate their weapons and Paratroopers' capabilities.
U.S. Army Cpt. Shawn Rolando, a military officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, was the officer in charge of the training and referred to it as unique.
"This training was unique because many of our mitigation measures for COVID 19 are in effect," said Rolando. "We are using unique strategies to overcome and reduce heat exposure by allowing our Soldiers to rest within the COVID restriction guidelines mandated by FORSCOM."
A Fire Team clears their weapons after finishing a run phase in a training exercise. During the run phase of the team fire exercise, the Soldiers use live ammunition as they move and communicate towards the intended target.
Under Rolando's watchful eyes, he supervised the range of operations from the tower. On the ground, Cpt. Mark Lewis, Headquarters Support Company commander, observed the teams' communication techniques, and their weapons functions while they moved towards the objective.
A Fire Team clears their weapons after finishing a run phase in a training exercise. During the run phase of the team fire exercise, the Soldiers use live ammunition as they move and communicate towards the intended target.
Rolando and Lewis's mission was clear. They must focus on improving any complexities the trainers may foresee, reinforce, sustain, and expand the Paratroopers marksmanship skills to ready them for war.
U.S. Army Sgt. Christian Blake, a fire team leader, said, "Earlier today, we started with a dry run. It was a little choppy as we worked out the mechanics, but as we progressed, we saw a significant improvement throughout the entire exercise. I believe our team got some great training out of it today."
The firing range at West McKeithan Pond was triple-layered. It provided forested, desert, and an urban fighting area to challenge the Troopers with real-life combat scenarios.
"The range is unique to the Paratroopers," said Rolando. "It has a right and left side maneuverer, with realistic environments that were relatively new to them."
A journal article titled Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division Maneuvers and Fires Integration Program, written by Joh P. Drago, raised issues with which he called "repetitive negative trends within the fire support battlefield operating system."
Drago recognized at all echelons fire support maneuvers and fires. Integration proficiency is crucial to winning in the battlespace.
Squads and fire teams depend on the competency, speed, and accuracy of combat infantry crews and weapons when a call for fire demands a relative advantage.
Drago said, "to ensure all teams are trained to a common level proficiency before a mission cycle or before a live-fire excise. Units undergo preliminary training to provide the foundation for success and reinforce proper techniques."
References:
Drago, J. P., (2002). Field Artillery Association, U.S. Army Field Artillery School United States: 82nd Airborne Division. Vol.7. iss.1. pg. 26-29. ILL. 203718155 82nd Airborne Division https://worldcat.org/ILL/AE/E76YfJuo8
Infantry Live Fire Training. (Sep. 1993). Training Circular 7-9. Headquarters Department of the Army.
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/tc7_9.pdf
U.S. Army Fort Bragg (2020). Retrieved online
https://home.army.mil/bragg/index.php/about/covid-19
U.S. Army Forces Command (2020). Retrieved online https://www.forscom.army.mil/
Interviewee: U.S. Army Captain Rolando,S.
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