Chris Down Under Page 3

The following articles are from the 2-27 Infantry Battalion web page of the 25th Infantry Divisions' web site.

http://www.25idl.army.mil/unit_frame.asp?unit_id=303  Then click "In the News".  Look for July 10 through August 14, 2003 for articles.

Wolfhounds learn, qualify on the Australian F88 Austeyr rifle

By Spc. Sean Kimmons Assistant editor

BRISBANE, Australia -- Fire commands and rifle shots echoed through the ears of Wolfhounds of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment as they conducted weapon qualification on the Australian F88 Austeyr rifle July 16-17. Wolfhounds qualified with 38 rounds of ammunition on 300, 200 and 100-meter targets. Before qualifying, though, the Wolfhounds received a full day of lessons on the rifle. "We're going through their preliminary marksmanship instructions, safety precautions, basic weapon knowledge, and then finishing with the qualification," said 2nd Lt. Stephen Holmberg, a platoon leader for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. Learning and qualifying on each other's weapons is one the main points behind the Pacific Bond exercise. "The concept of PACBOND is that we conduct training together, so we have a better understanding in how we operate," said Maj. Patrick Powell, 6th Bn. Royal Australian Rgt. executive officer. Training side by side is important, because the two countries may have to fight together in the future. "As allies, we are increasingly working together in similar theatres, so it's good to know what the limitations and strengths are," Holmberg said. "If push came to shove and U.S. Soldiers were using the Australian weapon, they will already have that working knowledge." One of the limitations Wolfhounds were taught is that the Austeyr realistically does not shoot past 250-300 meters because of the size of its sight, Holmberg pointed out. This kind of distance capability on a rifle is similar even to the M4 rifle that the Wolfhounds are familiar with. "They are short range weapons designed for close quarters combat, especially in military operations in urban terrain," Holmberg said. Holmberg said it's difficult to compare a rifle he's just picked up in the last couple of days. But the biggest difference between the M4 and the Austeyr that he found was the Austeyr's bull-pup design, where the weapon's trigger is in front of the magazine. "With the bull-pup design, it's like sawing off the plastic butt stock of the M16 rifle and putting the trigger in front of the magazine," Holmberg said. "By doing this you've shortened the weapon by six to eight inches." This allows the weapon to be shortened without shortening the barrel length, which makes maneuverability easier, Holmberg said. This design also made it more difficult for the Wolfhounds to adapt. "The configuration of the weapon with the magazine in the rear, pistol grip and more working parts seemed to be a lot of unnecessary complications," Holmberg said. Learning similarities and differences between each other's weapons aids the Wolfhounds' combat readiness. "It's a good experience to learn and shoot another country's weapon, because if we have to use their weapon in combat, we'll already have that feel for it," said Spc. Ray Neal, team leader for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt.
 

Photo(s) by Spc. Sean Kimmons Sgt. Kris McGrail, a squad leader for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., waves his Soldiers in closer to their objective during a live fire exercise July 22.

Wolfhounds go live down under By Spc. Sean Kimmons Assistant editor CANUNGRA, Australia -- Wolfhounds of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment went live for the first time in the Pacific Bond 2003 exercise with day and night live fires July 21-23. The movement to contact live-fire missions had squads move up a hillcrest and engage targets as they fought on through to their objective. This type of exercise is similar to ones Wolfhounds conduct on Schofield Barracks, but with many new Soldiers in the company it is imperative they train on it. "This exercise is more for the new guys who just got to the unit," said Sgt. Jerry Pina, team leader for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. "It's a great familiarization for them, since this is the first time they've shot live weapons in any exercise." "I've learned during basic training, but there's so much more I can learn from the experiences of these guys," said Pvt. 2 Nathan Delgado, a rifleman who has been with the company for just one month. Moving to an objective with live rounds being shot off in a close area, provides the challenge of trusting each other. That's why in these types of exercises it is not only important to put bullets into the targets but to develop confidence and trust among fellow Soldiers. "It builds confidence and trust within the squad," Pina said about the live fires. "It allows the new guys who never have worked with live ammunition to create trust and responsibility, not only in themselves but with their buddies." "If you really think about the mechanics of these exercises, they start off simple and grow complex," Delgado said. "It's crucial that we receive a lot of repetition and practice on them to keep up on our game and develop new styles. So when we are on the battlefield, it will come as second nature." Live fires also help the squad leaders and team leaders by keeping their "A" game intact. "Everything that we do here is a perishable skill and if you don't keep on doing it, you'll forget it," Pina said. "Also it helps build more trust, confidence and respect among your 'joes' and in that way they'll trust you as a leader."

Photo(s) by Spc. Sean Kimmons Pfc. Brian Kustenmacher, M249 gunner for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., demonstrates how to don a protective mask within the nine second time limit to Australian Army cadets Aug. 4.

Australian Army cadets meet with U.S. Soldiers By Spc. Sean Kimmons Assistant editor GALLIPOLI BARRACKS, Australia -- Australian Army cadets got the chance to pick the brains of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment Soldiers when they met face-to-face Aug. 3-5. During the three days, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. Soldiers put on static displays of infantry equipment and held question and answer forums with enthusiastic cadets from the 126th Regional Australian Army cadet unit, similar to the U.S. Army's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. "It was a good experience because you get to enlighten young Australian cadets," said Cpl. Levi Martinez, team leader for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. "And in doing this other countries can understand the U.S. Army." Maj. Robert Galbraith, commanding officer of the 126th Regional cadet unit thought of the idea to have U.S. Soldiers visit the 12 through 17-year-old cadets. "It does the kids a world of good when they get to look at the other side of things," Galbraith said. "They have already seen what the Australian Army is all about, and it doesn't hurt them to find out exactly what happens in other countries' armies." One cadet also thought it was a good idea to interact with the U.S. Army Soldiers. "We (cadets) are very restricted to our exposure to worldwide activities, so it's good for us to see this sort of thing," said Cadet Under Officer Jeff Casson. "I'm sure a number of cadets will be talking about this event for quite some time." Newscasts of U.S. Army Soldiers fighting in conflicts can pose an opportunity for negative publicity and stereotypes. During their visit, the Soldiers eliminated the falsities. "As far as stereotypes or what they see on TV about the U.S. Army, it was good to set the cadets straight and tell them how it really is in the U.S. Army by sharing our experiences." Martinez said. After the forums, Soldiers then marched the cadets to the sound of U.S. Army cadence songs. "The Australian Army doesn't have cadence songs, so it was something new to the cadets," said Sgt. Marcus Barnes, supply sergeant for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. "Some of the words I used in the cadence created a sense of motivation to the cadets, since they began to get louder while marching."