Approximately 40 M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles participated in the gunnery training, executing six live fire tables. Crews engaged targets using the Bradley’s M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun to enhance combat proficiency and operational cohesion.
“It is good to have qualified crews,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Beard, master gunner for the 1-16th Infantry. “It’s also a demonstration of force and lethality, knowing that we’re ready to fight tonight if needed.”
Beard highlighted the value of trust and confidence among crew members during qualification. “A lot of the crew experiences, this might be their first time actually conducting a qualification together, but once they go out there, they’re able to build trust in their systems and build that lethality using their optics and building that confidence,” stated Beard.
Sgt. Michael Mitchell, a Bradley gunner with the 1-16th Infantry, underlined the importance of task proficiency. “We need to constantly be proficient in our tasks and standards, and get the mission done as fast and as safe as possible,” stated Mitchell.
Mitchell also reflected on the close-knit bonds formed within crews during training. “What I like about being the gunner is being with your crew, it’s a very tight knit crew,” said Mitchell. “You hold each other accountable and it’s more of a family task.”
With crew-level gunnery now complete, the units will progress to squad, section and platoon live fire qualifications, followed by the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFX). “With crew gunnery being complete, it’s a good morale booster for those troops because it shows that they’re able to qualify on these challenging tables while doing it in a foreign country as well,” expressed Beard.
These live fire exercises enhance crew lethality and support warfighting readiness, contributing to a combat-credible presence along NATO’s Eastern Flank.
