Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious October 25, 2012 | News

A tank crew from the 1-8 Cav. Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. fires a 120-mm round from its main gun at a target for crew qualification during a Gunnery Table VI live-fire exercise at Clabber Creek Multi-use Range, Oct. 18. Two Mustang Battalion companies completed the two-day event Friday. Staff Sgt. Johnathan Hoover, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

M1A2 Abrams tank crews from the 1-8 Cav. Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., position their tanks in firing order before crew qualification during a Gunnery Table VI live-fire exercise Oct. 18 at Clabber Creek Multiuse Range. Staff Sgt. Johnathan Hoover; 2BCT; 1st Cav Div Public Affairs

Tank crews utilized the cool fall weather to set up their sights, locate their targets and qualify on their tanks this month.

Soldiers from C and D Companies of the 1st “Mustang” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Gunnery Table VI live-fire exercises Oct. 18 and Friday at Fort Hood’s Clabber Creek Multi-use Range.

Table VI is the individual tank crew qualification, said 1st Lt. Andrew Roberts, a fire support officer with Co. C. Eight Co. C crews and 10 Co. D crews conducted five-day and five-night engagements, with a total of 1,000 points to earn.

Crews earned points in various categories, such as targets hit, time and using proper verbal commands, Roberts added.

Gunnery qualification tables are designed to give commanders battle-ready crews who are confident in themselves, their equipment and their positions on the tank, Roberts explained.

“The most important thing for tankers to take away from this qualification is confidence,” Roberts added. “If they have confidence in what they learn, how to maintain their vehicle and in each other, then they will be successful.”

Crews with Co. D were very successful, Capt. James Comstock, the company commander, said.

“I’m very pleased with the crews,” he said. “They have been very successful qualifying, and the crews have achieved a lot of growth.”

Growth came in various forms from building teamwork to a Soldiers’ proficiency in their tank position.

“Our crew was newly formed with some changes in personnel early on, but that didn’t effect our growth as a team,” said Spc. Veasna Houp, a tanker with Co. D. “Even as a driver, I am confident in different positions such as a gunner.”

The growth also led to higher morale and confidence within the crewmembers themselves.

“Morale was definitely high within our crew. We learned from each other, which added confidence in my crewmembers and myself,” Houp added.

“There was great anticipation and morale among the crews,” Roberts said. “This leaves the leaders confident crews (who) are ready to deploy and have the experience to succeed utilizing their skills.”

“My confidence in the D Company crew’s proficiency is high, and I am absolutely sure they are ready to deploy if called upon,” Comstock said.

Both companies are scheduled for platoon- and company-level gunnery exercises within the next month.