Adapting to Infantry Life - Big Red One artillery troops learn urban warfare skills in Kuwait

Adapting to Infantry Life - Big Red One artillery troops learn urban warfare skills in Kuwait BlackAnthem Military News
By Pfc. Nathan Smith, 4th BCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs
Mar 8, 2007

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Less than a century ago, the U.S. Army engaged in trench warfare. Soldiers have adapted to different forms of combat over the years, and the battle in Iraq is no exception. Today, the Army must adjust to the rigors of urban combat.

Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment not only had to train up on their Military Operations in Urban Terrain skills, but they also had to make the transition from functioning as artillery to infantry for their deployment to Iraq.

To facilitate this transition, the Soldiers of Battery B, 2-32nd FA conducted close-quarters marksmanship training at the MOUT Range here, Feb. 17.

1st Lt. Jeff Christy, the platoon leader of second platoon, Battery B, said his Soldiers have accepted this challenge and are performing admirably.

"They're absolute sponges," Christy said. "Each time we train, a new dynamic is introduced into this training. They've really absorbed it, and they're doing a fantastic job."

Christy said the unit has made great progress from the beginning of their close-quarters marksmanship training in October to now.

Sgt. 1st Class George Allen, the platoon sergeant of 2nd Platoon, Battery B, said the training is more intense than when the training began during the unit's rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

"Here, we have subject matter experts who help assist not only myself and the platoon leader," Allen said, "as well as those lower enlisted to grasp what it's like to maneuver and engage on a target. Not only is this training intense, but it prepares us for our next step headed toward Iraq."

Allen said his Soldiers are accepting their tasks enthusiastically.

"I can honestly say I wouldn't want to deploy with another group of Soldiers," he said. "The Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Battery B, are very highly motivated, eager to train, and eager to learn.

"They're focused on the mission at hand."

photo by Spc. Ben Washburn, 4th BCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs