thedrifter
01-05-09, 07:02 AM
Artillery battalion fires new M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer
09:46 GMT, January 5, 2009 MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. | The M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer cannon is the future of Marine Corps artillery units.
Batteries T and G, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, fielded the new cannons, aka “triple sevens,” during a field training exercise here Dec. 19.
As 2nd Battalion phases out of the bigger and heavier M198 Medium Howitzer cannons, the triple seven affords them the opportunity to meet the needs of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary nature, said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Payne, Battery T gunnery sergeant.
“As we move into learning this weapon, we’re not packing around a heavy piece of gear,” Payne said. “We can move this lightweight piece around in a couple of minutes versus 10 minutes. That’s very important on the battlefield when we need to put rounds where they need to be for the ground combat commander.”
Batteries T and G spent the past month in 10th Marines’ Artillery Training School and learned the nomenclature, functions and characteristics of the triple seven to safely employ it in training, Payne said.
The approximately 9,000-pound titanium-cast triple seven, which weighs nearly 7,000 pounds less than its aluminum and steel-built predecessor, brings a new set of capabilities that the M198 did not have such as a digitally controlled fire system and a VHF radio link that sends command messages to the gun’s section chief.
The sections received fire missions from the fire direction center and utilized teamwork and quick reaction to hastily launch 155mm rounds at a seven mile-distanced impact zone.
Cpl. Adrian Santos, section chief, Battery T, expressed his confidence about the newest weapon in the battalion’s arsenal.
“Personally, I feel this weapon will be more accurate and effective to send rounds down range,” said Santos. “It’s a much faster weapon to employ and I think it’ll be a good addition to the artillery community.”
Although this was the batteries’ first firing exercise, Payne described their weapon handling as if they’ve had the triple sevens for a long time.
Payne said it’s impressive to see the young Marines come back from their recent deployment to Iraq, get a brand new high-speed, low-drag piece of gear.
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By Cpl. Christopher Lyttle, 2nd Marine Division, U.S. Marines
Ellie
09:46 GMT, January 5, 2009 MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. | The M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer cannon is the future of Marine Corps artillery units.
Batteries T and G, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, fielded the new cannons, aka “triple sevens,” during a field training exercise here Dec. 19.
As 2nd Battalion phases out of the bigger and heavier M198 Medium Howitzer cannons, the triple seven affords them the opportunity to meet the needs of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary nature, said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Payne, Battery T gunnery sergeant.
“As we move into learning this weapon, we’re not packing around a heavy piece of gear,” Payne said. “We can move this lightweight piece around in a couple of minutes versus 10 minutes. That’s very important on the battlefield when we need to put rounds where they need to be for the ground combat commander.”
Batteries T and G spent the past month in 10th Marines’ Artillery Training School and learned the nomenclature, functions and characteristics of the triple seven to safely employ it in training, Payne said.
The approximately 9,000-pound titanium-cast triple seven, which weighs nearly 7,000 pounds less than its aluminum and steel-built predecessor, brings a new set of capabilities that the M198 did not have such as a digitally controlled fire system and a VHF radio link that sends command messages to the gun’s section chief.
The sections received fire missions from the fire direction center and utilized teamwork and quick reaction to hastily launch 155mm rounds at a seven mile-distanced impact zone.
Cpl. Adrian Santos, section chief, Battery T, expressed his confidence about the newest weapon in the battalion’s arsenal.
“Personally, I feel this weapon will be more accurate and effective to send rounds down range,” said Santos. “It’s a much faster weapon to employ and I think it’ll be a good addition to the artillery community.”
Although this was the batteries’ first firing exercise, Payne described their weapon handling as if they’ve had the triple sevens for a long time.
Payne said it’s impressive to see the young Marines come back from their recent deployment to Iraq, get a brand new high-speed, low-drag piece of gear.
----
By Cpl. Christopher Lyttle, 2nd Marine Division, U.S. Marines
Ellie