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Artillerymen of the Battleking Battalion have spent 2010 returning to our core competencies. After completing Army Force Generation reset, the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery is currently in our train/ready phase with the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team (2 HBCT) Spartans, preparing for future missions, anytime, anywhere.
The fire support elements of 2 HBCT consolidated under the control of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery for five months to train as a single unit. This consolidation cross-pollinated talent and allowed us to share valuable lessons learned from multiple combat tours, reinforcing the fire supporters “esprit de corps” and training the fundamentals of fire support. The training period concluded with the fire supporters competing in two events: the best Forward Observer and best FIST competition. The end result of this training provided the Spartan Brigade with highly trained and lethal fire supporters.
In May, 1-9 FA participated in the Combined Arms Live Fire (CALFX) demonstration for the Chief of Staff of the People’s Republic of China Army and his delegation. During this CALFX, 2 HBCT massed Artillery, Mortars, Attack Aviation, Close Air Support (CAS) and direct fires from Infantry and Armor in support of an infantry platoon air assault to clear the objective. This mission had strategic implications in displaying the Army’s capabilities to the People’s Republic of China as well as enhancing our strategic partnership. All of this was accomplished within weeks of the battalion receiving their M109A6 Paladins from reset. Prior to completing this CALFX, the battalion executed Artillery Tables I-VI (crew certification/qualification), Top Gun competition, FIST certification/qualification, and an intensive two week train up, firing over 2000 rounds.
In August, the Battlekings conducted Operation Kobayashi Maru, our Paladin Table XII platoon qualification. During this lane based tactical situation, platoons were tested and evaluated on artillery fundamentals and tactical decision making. From tactical movement and employment of the Paladin, to shooting degraded fire missions, to treating and evacuating casualties, our platoons validated and qualified on artillery Table XII. As a result of this realistic and rigorous training, our platoons are more lethal and accurate.
Throughout the remainder of 2011, the Battlekings continue to focus on weapons proficiency, combat focused physical training, collective level gunnery and our artillery fundamentals within the Spartan Heavy Brigade Combat Team. From Paladin Table XV to supporting maneuver Table XII with indirect fires, the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery is preparing for any future mission with professionalism and discipline through training the fundamentals.
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