Maj. Tomberlin is currently serving with an Alabama National Guard FA unit in Afghanistan and is a reporter with the Birmingham news. CannonArtillery.com recently caught up with Maj. Michael Tomberlin via e-mail. Here are his thoughts on the role of cannon artillery in today's fight as well as what it's like to blog from the field.
Name: Michael Tomberlin
Service Branch and units: Army National Guard, FA -- currently an ETT working with the Police Mentor Team in Ghazni, Afghanistan. I have been with the 1st of the 117th FA BN in Alabama all of my military career prior to this deployment.
Rank: Major
Number of years served: September 2008 will be 22
Current location/assignment: Ghazni, Afghanistan, XO/S3/S2 for the PMT
Hometown: McCalla, Alabama
Artillery's Role in Today's Fight
In your opinion, what advantage(s) does cannon artillery bring to today's battlefield?
Artillery is still a dominant force and we see its use in very traditional ways here in Afghanistan and throughout the GWOT. I have seen more uses of cannon artillery in terrain-denial missions and also as an intimidation or show of force for the enemy in support of units moving throughout the battlespace. It remains a responsive and accurate way of shaping the terrain in our favor and that much hasn't changed, just the nuances in which it is employed.
How does cannon artillery's role in combat today further the case for cannons?
As I said, there is still a very traditional use of cannons and the maneuver units on the ground recognize their important role. The enemy does too. It becomes apparent the enemy is aware of where we have our tubes and their ranges because we see them employing their own tactics just outside what they believe the artillery ranges to be. With the exception of fighter jets, the flexing of our artillery presence does more to deter and drive away the enemy than anything else.
How has the evolution of cannon artillery helped shape your military career?
I enlisted as a 13F FO and even called for fire using the old 8-inch SP howitzers. As an officer, I've held every battery level position you can hold and have worked as a BN FDO and ammunition officer in addition to being a targeting officer. Our battalion even converted to MLRS for a short time but is now transitioning back to cannons. I can tell you from the standpoint of the gun crew all the way up to the FO on the hill, cannons are the preferred method of delivering artillery for all concerned. It may not have the firepower of the rocket launchers, but pulling a lanyard, feeling the earth move and watching the impact are superior when caused by cannons.
What guns are you currently using while serving in a combat zone? How do you rate the performance of the various guns?
The Coalition forces here use both 155mm and 105mm towed cannons. I've also seen the Afghan National Army fire the D-30s in support of operations we have had here in Ghazni. I even got to sight in on a D-30 with the aiming circle and participated in a fire mission. All the artillery here does what it is intended to do. Members of my team have employed it effectively and the enemy is well aware of its capabilities.
Reporting from the field
How did you get into journalism? And why did it appeal to you?
I had a high school teacher who felt I had writing talent and fostered it. He was also the teacher over the student newspaper, so I fell into that and decided then I wanted a career in writing. Newspapers and journalism seemed an obvious choice.
How has the internet shaped the news?
The immediacy of the Internet is the primary factor. It appeals to Americans' desire to have things right now. Whether it is printed on newsprint or posted online, the content is the same and that's what people are looking for. Our editors at The Birmingham News are open to using the Web as a way of getting the stories out to the readers as quickly as possible. It allows newspaper journalists to compete in real time with television and radio journalists.
What's the best part of having your own blog?
I get to write in first person and in a very open and direct way. There are rules you have to follow in journalism and ways you are supposed to write a news story. With the blog, I just share my experience and don't have to worry about fitting into a news format. That also allows for greater interaction with the readers -- I'm not just a sterile reporter giving them the news, but I'm an active participant putting a face, my face, on it all. The reaction has been extraordinary.
What's the most challenging part of blogging while in the field?
If I know missions are going to keep me away from the computer for a while, I try to work up a few days of blog posts in advance and schedule them to run while I'm away. Apart from that, just coming up with ideas and finding the time to post are hard, particularly with the less-then-stellar Internet connection we have here.
For more information on Maj. Tomberlin visit his blog.
Just for Fun
What is your favorite movie? I'm a fan of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, but "Tombstone" is probably my favorite movie, primarily because of Val Kilmer's remarkable performance as Doc Holliday.
Favorite book? The complete collection of Flannery O'Connor. I know that's cheating, but I love all of her stuff.
Favorite sports team? The University of Alabama Crimson Tide
What restaurant do you miss most while outside the states? I miss pizza the most -- wherever it may come from
What songs/artists are currently on your iPod playlist? I'm into alternative country and singer/songwriter stuff. Throughout this deployment, "Emotionalism" by the Avett Brothers has been the album I've listened to the most.
If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be? Condoleezza Rice seems really informed about Afghanistan and has said some things that indicate to me she has a firm grasp on what is needed here. I would like to chat with her about those ideas.
If you could pick what celebrity would play you in a movie? Bruce Willis seems to be a down-to-earth guy who doesn't take himself too seriously.
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