thedrifter
06-20-04, 06:21 AM
1st Stinger launches into training
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200461542650
Story by Cpl. Ryan Walker
IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan —(June 8, 2004) -- Training to provide defense against low-altitude air attacks, Marines of 1st Stinger Battery, Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, used the Simulated Target Launching System to create the feel of a Stinger weapons system here June 8.
Marines scanned the horizon through the sights of their STLS’s to fire at approaching CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters.
“Targets identified. We have two enemy helicopters approaching at 12 o’clock,” said Lance Cpl. Brian L. Maybin, a low altitude air defense gunner.
“Fire when ready,” said section leader Sgt. Todd W. Wegforth.
“Aye, aye sergeant,” Maybin shouted.
With a pull of the trigger, Maybin launched a missile-like aluminum projectile from the STLS toward the aircraft to simulate the operating procedures and feel of firing an actual shoulder-mounted Stinger.
“It sounded like a cannon but didn’t have kick,” Maybin said. “The weapon just got lighter.”
The aluminum projectile glided through the air for 40 meters until it tumbled to the earth, providing no real danger to the simulated enemy helicopters.
Real Stinger missiles are employed to rid the skies of enemy aircraft. With a price tag of $38,000, they are self-guided and lock onto the heat signature of enemy aircraft through a passive infrared sensor. They have a range of 10 kilometers and are equipped with high explosive warheads.
“This was the best way for Marines to simulate shooting because they got to feel what it’s like to fire a missile, and it provided cross training in visual identification of aircraft,” said platoon commander 1st Lt. Michael D. Famularo.
The Marines prefer firing the shoulder-mounted launch system to the Avenger weapons system, which is why they conduct live-fire training once a year to keep their eyes and trigger fingers honed, Famularo explained.
The much larger Avenger is a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle equipped with eight Stinger missiles and a .50 caliber heavy machine gun.
“Most Marines prefer the shoulder-fired method because they don’t have to rely on the electronic components of the Avenger,” Famularo said.
Another method Famularo uses to train his Marines is an electronic training apparatus that, when fired, sends an electronic signal to the aircraft. The aircraft then relays the information back to the shooter to indicate whether the correct procedures were performed.
“The training we did today is better because we now have muscle memory allowing us to react quickly in combat situation,” Maybin said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200461543211/$file/Release0280-2004-03low.jpg
IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Cpl. Michael A. Knight (left) and Pfc. Jonathan Jimenez fire a missile-like aluminum projectile from the Simulated Target Launching System here June 8. Aimed at a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter, the simulated missile glided nearly 40 meters before crashing to the earth. The low altitude air defense gunners are with 1st Stinger Battery, Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200461543335/$file/Release0280-2004-10low.jpg
IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan – The Simulated Target Launching System provides a realistic alternative to firing a missile from the shoulder-fired Stinger weapons system. Marines fired aluminum projectiles from the apparatus during low-altitude defense training here June 8. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/EDED1FCFF43D481985256EB4002E6742?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200461542650
Story by Cpl. Ryan Walker
IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan —(June 8, 2004) -- Training to provide defense against low-altitude air attacks, Marines of 1st Stinger Battery, Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, used the Simulated Target Launching System to create the feel of a Stinger weapons system here June 8.
Marines scanned the horizon through the sights of their STLS’s to fire at approaching CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters.
“Targets identified. We have two enemy helicopters approaching at 12 o’clock,” said Lance Cpl. Brian L. Maybin, a low altitude air defense gunner.
“Fire when ready,” said section leader Sgt. Todd W. Wegforth.
“Aye, aye sergeant,” Maybin shouted.
With a pull of the trigger, Maybin launched a missile-like aluminum projectile from the STLS toward the aircraft to simulate the operating procedures and feel of firing an actual shoulder-mounted Stinger.
“It sounded like a cannon but didn’t have kick,” Maybin said. “The weapon just got lighter.”
The aluminum projectile glided through the air for 40 meters until it tumbled to the earth, providing no real danger to the simulated enemy helicopters.
Real Stinger missiles are employed to rid the skies of enemy aircraft. With a price tag of $38,000, they are self-guided and lock onto the heat signature of enemy aircraft through a passive infrared sensor. They have a range of 10 kilometers and are equipped with high explosive warheads.
“This was the best way for Marines to simulate shooting because they got to feel what it’s like to fire a missile, and it provided cross training in visual identification of aircraft,” said platoon commander 1st Lt. Michael D. Famularo.
The Marines prefer firing the shoulder-mounted launch system to the Avenger weapons system, which is why they conduct live-fire training once a year to keep their eyes and trigger fingers honed, Famularo explained.
The much larger Avenger is a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle equipped with eight Stinger missiles and a .50 caliber heavy machine gun.
“Most Marines prefer the shoulder-fired method because they don’t have to rely on the electronic components of the Avenger,” Famularo said.
Another method Famularo uses to train his Marines is an electronic training apparatus that, when fired, sends an electronic signal to the aircraft. The aircraft then relays the information back to the shooter to indicate whether the correct procedures were performed.
“The training we did today is better because we now have muscle memory allowing us to react quickly in combat situation,” Maybin said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200461543211/$file/Release0280-2004-03low.jpg
IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Cpl. Michael A. Knight (left) and Pfc. Jonathan Jimenez fire a missile-like aluminum projectile from the Simulated Target Launching System here June 8. Aimed at a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter, the simulated missile glided nearly 40 meters before crashing to the earth. The low altitude air defense gunners are with 1st Stinger Battery, Marine Air Control Group-18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200461543335/$file/Release0280-2004-10low.jpg
IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan – The Simulated Target Launching System provides a realistic alternative to firing a missile from the shoulder-fired Stinger weapons system. Marines fired aluminum projectiles from the apparatus during low-altitude defense training here June 8. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/EDED1FCFF43D481985256EB4002E6742?opendocument
Ellie