3-29 FA conducts machine gun ranges

By: 2nd Lt. Pete Beamer Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Fort Carson, Colo. - The field artillery is the place to find guns. But small arms are oftentimes overlooked in the minds of many in comparison to their large 120mm or 155mm grand daddies.
However, crews served weapons are still an integral part of artillery batteries and proficiency on these systems is an essential part of conducting operations in theater.

After weeks of pre-marksmanship instruction (PMI), the Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division descended upon range fifteen, which would be a weeklong proving ground for their gunnery skills.

The week kicked off with the M249 range, organized and led by Alpha Battery, on July 14th. The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, has been in service since the late 1970s, and been used in every American conflict since the Gulf War. This gas operated light machine gun uses belt fed 5.56 mm ammunition to provide a heavy volume of fire to small units.

In the field artillery, these weapons are utilized for the protection of firing positions while the howitzers are conducting fire missions in support of other units. However, in the current conflict, these weapons are being used more and more by artillerymen to supplement rifle fire as they conduct the role of infantrymen. Whether being used in the offense or defense, the M249 is still a devastating and awe inspiring weapon.

For many of the firers at range fifteen, it was the first time they had ever fired the M249, or at least the first since their brief introduction to the weapon in basic training. Nevertheless, the new 3-29 FA gunners quickly assimilated what they had learned in PMI into a practical working knowledge of the weapon, and all thirty-eight firers qualified before noon.

Of those who qualified, ten shot expert, the highest of three qualification echelons. The top shooter in Headquarters Battery, Sgt. Ricardo Cruz from Denver, Co., had nothing but glowing remarks to say about the weapon.

“This was the first time I ever shot the SAW, but I can’t wait to do it again!” Cruz said.

The range itself ran smoothly under the direction of 1st Lt. David Celski and range safety officer 2nd Lt. Justin Burney. The only interruption to operations was a small fire that was quickly extinguished by quick thinking NCOs.

With the fire quelled, the cacophony of gunfire once again resumed in the low-lying Colorado hills.

The M240B range began in the cool morning hours of July 15th, again at range fifteen. Under the direction of 2nd Lt. Aaron Raymar, and range safety officer SSgt. Manuel Chacaliaza, the range was a great success and in the words of 2nd Lt. Raymar, “a lot of fun.”

The M240B is a larger version of the M249 and fires 7.62mm ammunition. In the field artillery, it is used mainly as a mounted weapon on vehicles to replace the heavy, aged M60 of the Vietnam era.

The M240B proved to be a deadly and vivacious weapon in the hands of its 3-29 FA handlers. Fired in two man crews made up of a gunner and assistant gunner, the weapon lived up to its reputation of having better stopping power than its lighter counterpart, the M249. Despite the heat, the only complaint heard off the firing line at range fifteen was not having more ammunition to shoot.

Of the 23 firers, all qualified, a testament to the in-depth training the Soldiers received in the weeks prior.

With their weapons zeroed and their qualifications complete, the Pacesetters continued to hone their skills with their automatic weapons over the course of the week. Further training included firing from mounted positions atop their vehicles, shooting “pop-up” targets, and the use of the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. In all, it was a useful training experience for the 3-29 FA Pacesetters, as well as a good excuse to exercise the violent firepower that artillerymen are known for.