Home on the range

Between the war in Iraq and simply relaxing one day a week, the Soldiers of Headquarters Co., (HHC) 3rd Battalion, 159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) get together for some training in their spare time.  With SFC James Walters, HHC 3-159th ARB Human Resources Noncommissioned Officer, and SSG Alein Lopez, HHC 3-159th ARB Supply Noncommissioned Officer In Charge, Soldiers are gathered up and head to the Smith Firing Range for target practice. 

With both M9 Pistols and M16 Rifles, the Soldiers are ready to engage.  With SSG Lopez working as the Range Safety Officer, he and his safetys make sure the weapons are pointed downrange and all the Soldiers follow the safety guidelines provided; i.e. wearing earplugs, ballistic eyewear, body armor with plates, and of course, the one thing that keeps their judgment strong-minded, their Advanced Combat Helmet. 

Once they are safely protected, the Soldiers patiently wait for SFC Walters, the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, to give the call. 

“Place your selector switch from safe to semi … and commence firing at your target!” he shouts. 
Finally the Soldiers fire their rounds as timely and as accurate as they possibly can.  The M16 Soldiers fire 20 rounds in a prone supported position, ten rounds in a prone unsupported position, and the final ten rounds in a secure kneeling position.  The M9 combatants fire seven rounds standing, 13 rounds crouching, ten rounds kneeling, and ten rounds in the prone position. 

At the end of firing, all the Soldiers drop their magazines and insure the weapons are clear of rounds and debris, as well as insuring the weapon is placed on safe.  They then retrieve the targets, and bring them back to the ammo shack where scoring will be done.  The next group of firers is ready to repeat the ongoing cycle.  The range was a 100% success due to everyone qualifying on the first time around. 

At the end of the range the Soldiers on range detail count the rounds left as well as the rounds expended, so they can report to Range Control how many rounds were used.  It is a moment of teamwork and getting together with the Army family for awhile.  Then it’s off to split up, head back to work, sleep, or simply just relax … until they meet once again.

By SGT Brandon Dryburgh
HHC 3/159 ARB Unit Public Affairs Representative
15 Feb., 2009