Around 15 M1A2 Abrams tanks fired 120mm rounds across six different gunnery tables during both day and night operations. The goal was to improve crew coordination and equipment performance under realistic combat conditions.
Each tank crew included a driver, gunner, loader and commander, all of whom performed specific roles to achieve cohesion and precision. “Everyone has their piece to play,” stated Staff Sgt. Riley Croft, a tank commander. “Everyone has a vital role.”
Croft explained how training is not only about skill but also about preparing the next generation of leaders. “Training builds muscle memory,” said Croft. “The people underneath you are going to be the people that fill your shoes. I’m always trying to teach them better ways to do things so when they reach my position they won’t have the problems that I had or the worries that I faced.”
Spc. Jocelyn Trejo, serving as a gunner, highlighted how communication within the crew directly affects mission success. “Communication plays a big part of being able to succeed,” stated Trejo. “It goes all the way from the driver to the TC, telling the driver when to stop, telling the loader to load and then the commands to fire. Communication is the main key.”
Sgt. First Class Corey Smith, a master gunner, said the training was especially valuable for new soldiers joining the company. “My favourite thing is watching young soldiers grow,” said Smith. “We have a lot of new Soldiers in this company. Seeing how they’ve progressed from the simulator, to gunner skill assessment until now, they are continuing to progress everyday.”
Smith also underscored how effective teamwork strengthens unit performance. “The more camaraderie you have, the better you work as a crew,” stated Smith. “Things just start flowing. Fire commands start to run smoother.”
Now that the gunnery is complete, the Abrams crews will proceed to a series of situational training exercises, culminating in the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. These exercises play a key role in strengthening warfighting readiness along NATO’s Eastern Flank.
