The term “Brass Monkey” has been used in pop-culture references like the Beastie Boys' song, but the real meaning comes from which piece of cannon-related equipment?
Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, 2nd Stryker Brigade 25th Infantry Division July 28, 2008 (Photo date: July 21, 2008)
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lowers, a Sunrise, Fla., native, and platoon chief, 1st Platoon, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division -- Baghdad, inspects a projectile round for the M777 Howitzer at Camp Taji, July 21.
Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, 2nd Stryker Brigade 25th Infantry Division July 28, 2008 (Photo date: July 21, 2008)
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lowers, a Sunrise, Fla., native, and platoon chief, 1st Platoon, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division -- Baghdad, poses next to an M777 Howitzer at Camp Taji, July 21.
Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, 2nd Stryker Brigade 25th Infantry Division July 28, 2008 (Photo date: July 21, 2008)
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lowers, a Sunrise, Fla., native, and platoon chief, 1st Platoon, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division -- Baghdad, poses next to an M777 Howitzer at Camp Taji, July 21.
Photo by Pvt. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division Public Affairs July 24, 2008
Sgt. Joseph Woodson (left), from Ohatchee, Ala., and Spc. Trinity Phomsopha (right), from Van Buren, Ariz., both fire direction specialists with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, verify grid coordinates before directing the fire of an M109A6 155mm Paladin system, July 16, 2008.
Photo by Pvt. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division Public Affairs July 24, 2008
A M109A6 155mm Paladin system recoils shortly after a live fire mission on Fort Hood, Texas. Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division provides indirect fire support for combat patrols as part of a two week training exercise designed to prepare "Greywolf" troops for an upcoming deployment to Iraq.
Photo by Pvt. Sharla Perrin, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division Public Affairs July 24, 2008
Pfc. Jose Hercules, a gunner with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Miami, Fla., reacts to pulling the firing mechanism of an M109A6 155mm Paladin system, July 16, 2008.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division April 26, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 22, 2008)
Soldiers of King Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment fire an artillery round from an M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer earlier this year from Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Diyala province, Iraq. King Battery, which is close to surpassing the most rounds fired by an artillery battery in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, provides fires support to the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash.
Photo by 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division April 26, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 22, 2008)
Soldiers of King Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment fire an artillery round from an M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer earlier this year from Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Diyala province, Iraq. King Battery which is on its fifth month of a 15-month deployment has fired more than 4,800 rounds, only 400 rounds less than the most rounds ever fired during from an artillery battery in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division April 26, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 22, 2008)
Pfc. Ian Larson of Melrose, Wis., a gunner with King Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment loads an artillery round into a M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Diyala province, Iraq, on April 22. King Battery which is on its fifth month of 15-month deployment has fired more than 4,800 rounds, only 400 rounds less than the most rounds ever fired during from an artillery battery in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division April 26, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 22, 2008)
Cpl. Scott Marvick of Dallas, Texas, a gunner with King Battery, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, loads an artillery round into an M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Diyala province, Iraq, April 22. Since joining the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division in November, King Battery has 30 confirmed enemy kills from their fires.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division April 26, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 22, 2008)
King Battery fires the M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzers from three different locations throughout Diyala province. Those who live near the battery get used to hearing the earth-shaken "booms" of outgoing artillery rounds at all hours of the day and night.
Photo by 1st Lt. Ted Vickers, Regimental Combat Team 1 May 17, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 19, 2008)
Marines from Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fire an M777 howitzer during a training exercise aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, April 19. Marines from the battery are supporting a myriad of roles during their deployment with Regimental Combat Team 1 including personal security detachments and explosive ordnance disposal security teams.
Photo by Sgt. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc, Regimental Combat Team 1 May 17, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 19, 2008)
Marines from Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fire an M777 howitzer during a training exercise aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, April 19. Marines from the battery are supporting a myriad of roles during their deployment with Regimental Combat Team 1 including personal security detachments and explosive ordnance disposal security teams. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by Sgt. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc, Regimental Combat Team 1 May 17, 2008 (Photo date: Apr. 19, 2008)
Marines from Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fire an M777 howitzer during a training exercise aboard Camp Fallujah, Iraq, April 19. Marines from the battery are supporting a myriad of roles during their deployment with Regimental Combat Team 1 including personal security detachments and explosive ordnance disposal security teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Sgt. Nathaniel C. LeBlanc). Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer Jan 18, 2008 (Photo Date: Jan 17, 2008)
Sgt. Leonard Caliguri, Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Pfc. Brad Miller, also from Alpha Battery, 2-320th FAR, high-five after shooting a 20-round fire mission during Operation Fulton Harvest, a combined arms operation, in the Al-Jazeera Desert near Samarra, Iraq, Jan.13. Alpha Battery fired over 1,100 rounds in support of the operation, which was aimed at destroying and neutralizing an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Samarra. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer Jan 18, 2008 (Photo Date: Jan 17, 2008)
Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, fire rounds from their M119A2 howitzer at enemy targets during Operation Fulton Harvest in the Al-Jazeera Desert, Jan. 13. Alpha Battery fired over 1,100 rounds in 48 hours while in direct support of 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment during the operation, which was a combined arms counterinsurgency operation aimed at destroy and neutralizing an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Samarra. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer Jan 18, 2008 (Photo Date: Jan 17, 2008)
Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, fire rounds from their M119A2 howitzer at enemy targets during Operation Fulton Harvest in the Al-Jazeera Desert, Jan. 13. Alpha Battery fired over 1,100 rounds in 48 hours while in direct support of 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment during the operation, which was a combined arms counterinsurgency operation aimed at destroy and neutralizing an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Samarra. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer Jan 18, 2008 (Photo Date: Jan 17, 2008)
Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, fire rounds from their M119A2 howitzer at enemy targets during Operation Fulton Harvest in the Al-Jazeera Desert, Jan. 13. Alpha Battery fired over 1,100 rounds in 48 hours while in direct support of 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment during the operation, which was a combined arms counterinsurgency operation aimed at destroy and neutralizing an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Samarra. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti Jan. 10, 2008 (Photo date: Jan. 2, 2008)
Soldiers from Battery B "Banditos," 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, start their fire mission with the M777 Light Weight 155 mm Howitzer at Camp Taji, Iraq, on Jan. 2. The "Banditos" are the first Army unit to field and fire the cannon system in Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti Jan. 10, 2008 (Photo date: Jan. 2, 2008)
The M777A2 Light Weight 155 mm Howitzer made its debut at Camp Taji, Iraq, Jan. 2. The Soldiers from Battery B "Banditos," 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, first Army unit to field and fire the cannon system in Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti Jan. 10, 2008 (Photo date: Jan. 2, 2008)
Soldiers from B Battery, "Banditos," 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, prepare to fire the M777A2 Light Weight 155 mm Howitzer, Jan. 2, at Camp Taji, Iraq. The "Banditos" made history as the first Army unit to fire the cannon system in Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti Jan. 10, 2008 (Photo date: Jan. 2, 2008)
Newport, N.H., native Spc. Michael Cunningham, no. 1 man, B Battery, "Banditos," 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, checks calibration for the M777A2 cannon, Jan. 2, at Camp Taji, Iraq. The "Banditos" made history as the first Army unit to fire the cannon system in Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti Jan. 10, 2008 (Photo date: Jan. 2, 2008)
Newport, N.H., native Spc. Michael Cunningham, no. 1 man, Battery B, "Banditos," 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Laguna Pueblo, N.M., native Spc. Brandon Tiller, assistant gunner, Battery B "Banditos," Battery B, 2nd Bn.,11th FA Regt., stand ready to complete a fire mission at Camp Taji, Iraq, Jan. 2. The Soldiers prepare to fire the M777 Light Weight 155 mm Howitzer. The unit made history as the first Army unit to field and fire the cannon system in Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Richmond, Ky., native and co-host of the St. Barbara induction ceremony, Col. Billy Jack West, commander of the 138th Field Artillery Brigade and Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Wayne Cowan, the senior noncommissioned officer for the 138th FA, posthumously induct fallen Soldiers Pvt. Sammie Phillips and Staff Sgt. Delmar White into the Order of St. Barbara in the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory in western Baghdad, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves, 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division and 138th Fires Brigade are inducted into the Order of St. Barbara in the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory in western Baghdad, Nov. 23. Due to St. Barbara's association with lightning, she has been invoked for protection against the dangers of lightning and fire, and by association, she became the patron saint of artillerymen. More than 130 Soldiers and guests attended the ceremony, where 21 new members were inducted into the Order of St. Barbara. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves, 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Richmond, Ky., native and co-host of the St. Barbara induction ceremony, Col. Billy Jack West, commander, 138th Field Artillery Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard, tries the "artillery punch" to make sure it's fit for consumption for the inductees. Twenty-one new members were inducted into the Order of St. Barbara during the event, held at the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory in western Baghdad, Nov. 23. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves, 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
The effects coordinator of Multi-National Corps -Iraq, Brig. Gen. Mark McDonald, was the guest speaker during the St. Barbara induction ceremony in the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory in western Baghdad, Nov. 23. "We're fighting a global war on terror," he said. "Your efforts here are helping to keep our country free and families safe." More than 130 Soldiers and guests attended the ceremony, where 21 new members were inducted into the Order of St. Barbara. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves, 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 138th Fires Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard, toast to the United States of America as part of the traditional St. Barbara induction ceremony in the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory in western Baghdad, Nov. 23. More than 130 Soldiers and guests attended the ceremony, where 21 new members were inducted into the Order of St. Barbara. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves, 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 28, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Kendric Pipken, Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, pulls the lanyard to fire an Excalibur round form and M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 28, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Kendric Pipken, Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, pulls the lanyard to fire an Excalibur round form and M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 27, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
U.S Marine Cpl. Adam Hill, left, and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Tomaszewski, with Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines check a Chiefs of Section Display prior to an M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer firing an Excalibur round at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 27, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
A U.S. Marine with Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines prepare a M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer to fire an Excalibur round at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 27, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
U.S. Marines with Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, prepare a M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer to fire an Excalibur round at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 27, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Barry L. Edwards Public Affairs Officer, Regimental Combat Team 6 photographs Marines preparing an Excalibur round at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. RCT 6 is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Master Sgt. Paul Bishop Nov. 27, 2007 (Photo date: Nov. 4, 2007)
U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Michael D. Hamby, left, Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, provides information on an Excalibur round that is being prepared for firing from an M777 A2 Lightweight Howitzer at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 4. This is the first time that an artillery battery has deployed the M777 A2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Nov 15, 2007 Photo date: Nov. 13, 2007)
Hopedale, Mass., native Pvt. Shaun Connor, a field artilleryman for Battery A, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, enjoys a day spent painting a Korean War-era M2A2 105mm Howitzer on Camp Taji, Iraq Nov. 13. The Korean War-era field artillery piece is one of many vintage pieces which units have on display outside their unit buildings on the base camp. With just a couple of months left to go until the unit's return to Fort Hood, Texas, Battery A has been working to get their unit area ready for their replacements who arrive sometime early next year. Photo courtesy of Army.mil.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser Aug 22 (Photo date: Aug 20, 2007)
Lance Cpl. Christopher R. Keane (center), a cannon crewman with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, grabs a tool the crew uses to sweep the barrel of an artillery cannon during a direct-fire training mission. . The battery conducted a direct-fire training mission followed by an illumination mission in support of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser Aug 22 (Photo date: Aug 20, 2007)
Cpl. Fernando Macias (right), a cannon-crewman with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, looks through the sights to ensure Phyxius, an M198 Howitzer artillery cannon, will hit its target. The battery conducted a direct-fire training mission followed by an illumination mission in support of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser Aug 22 (Photo date: Aug 20, 2007)
A view through the sights of Phyxius, an M198 Howitzer artillery cannon, during a direct-fire training mission. Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, has been providing artillery support for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion since the start of their deployment to Iraq in March earlier this year. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser Aug 22 (Photo date: Aug 20, 2007)
Cpl. Fernando Macias, a cannon-crewman with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, looks through the sights to ensure Phyxius, an M198 Howitzer artillery cannon, will hit its target. The battery conducted a direct-fire training mission followed by an illumination mission in support of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser Aug 22 (Photo date: Aug 20, 2007)
A Marine with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, checks Phyxius, an M198 Howitzer artillery cannon, before an illumination mission. Phyxius is known in Greek mythology as the god of flight. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser Aug 22 (Photo date: Aug 21,2007)
Marines with Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force Highlander, Regimental Combat Team 2, man Phyxius, an M198 Howitzer artillery cannon, during a direct-fire training mission. Phyxius is known in Greek mythology as the god of flight. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
A M-109 Paladin from Battery B, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery sits upon the gun pad ready to fire against insurgents attacking Camp Ramadi. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
An M109A6 Paladin self-propelled 155mm howitzer belonging to Bravo Battery, 1-41 Field Artillery Battalion stands ready on the gun line here. It can fire 96-pound projectiles up to a distance of 24,000 meters in direct support of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, Regimental Combat Team-6, and the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division of the Iraqi Army. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Mar. 19 (Photo date: Mar. 13, 2007)
San Diego native Spc. Eduardo Briseno, a cannoneer who loads and fires howitzers for Battery A, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, prepares to load a charge into the barrel of a howitzer on an M109A6 Paladin March 13 on Camp Taji, Iraq during the first-ever calibration firing of the Modular Artillery Charge System in the combat zone by an entire Paladin battery. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp Mar. 19 (Photo date: Mar. 13, 2007)
Soldiers from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment fired the howitzers on their M109A6 Paladins during the first-ever firing of the Modular Artillery Charge System in the combat zone by an entire Paladin battery March 13 on Camp Taji, Iraq. The MACS is a newly refined propellant that pushes projectiles out of the barrel of the howitzers. The MACS will be used in conjunction with the soon to be fielded Excalibur precision guided munition that the Batt. A Soldiers are expected to receive within the next few months. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey Mar. 13 (Photo date: Mar. 12, 2007)
Spc. Christopher Flores (left), a gunner, and Pfc. Chealse McMillian (right), an assistant gunner, both with A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, fire a Howitzer during a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base McHenry. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey Mar. 13 (Photo date: Mar. 12, 2007)
Staff Sgt. Clinton Stanfield (left), a section crew chief, Spc. Christopher Flores (center), a gunner, and Pfc. Chealse McMillian (right), an assistant gunner, all with A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, fire a Howitzer during a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base McHenry. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey Mar. 13 (Photo date: Mar. 12, 2007)
Staff Sgt. Clinton Stanfield (center), a section crew chief and Spc. Christopher Flores (left), a gunner, verify coordinates while Pfc. Chealse McMillian (right), an assistant gunner, all with A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, loads a round into the Howitzer gun during a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base McHenry. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Spc. Amanda Morrissey Mar. 13 (Photo date: Mar. 12, 2007)
Pfc. Chealse McMillian, an assistant gunner with A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, prepares the ammunition for a live-fire exercise at Forward Operating Base McHenry. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Cpl. Alexis Harrison Feb. 20 (Photo date: Feb. 8, 2007)
Sgt. Steven Lucero, an Edgewood, N.M., native and section chief with Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, checks the hydraulic fittings on the 155mm howitzer he and his team man at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Feb. 8. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Cpl. Alexis Harrison Feb. 20 (Photo date: Feb. 8, 2007)
Sgt. Steven Lucero, a section chief with Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, checks out the cockpit of the mobile howitzer his team mans on Forward Operating Base Falcon, Feb. 8. Lucero, an Edgewood, N.M., native, and his team keep the gun “hot” and ready for action around the clock. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By Cpl. Alexis Harrison Feb. 20 (Photo date: Feb. 8, 2007)
Sgt. Curtis King from Texarkana, Texas, and Spc. Josh Novian from Thousand Oaks, Calif., perform maintenance on their mobile howitzer after a long shift through the night, Feb. 8. The two Soldiers are part of a team from 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, who stay at Forward Operating Base Falcon to keep their Paladin ready for fire missions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
By MCSN David Quillen Feb. 15, 2007 (Photo date: Jul. 31, 2006)
U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Weber, with Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, rides gunner position for a humvee convoy through Kirkuk, Iraq, July 31, 2006. The convoy is providing an escort for the Iraqi army's 4th Strategic Infrastructure Brigade. Photo courtesy of DoD.
Sgt. Albert Cook pulls a charge from a 155 mm round canister to prepare for the gun crew's of the Paladin, a self-propelled howitzer next fire mission at Forward Operating Base Warhorse just outside of the city of Baqubah in Iraq. Cook is a member of A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry and is currently serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Sgt Albert Cook runs out of a M109A6 Paladin, a Self-Propelled Howitzer, to retrieve canisters for indirect fire missions at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, in the Diyala Province of Iraq. The artillery Soldier is a member of A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry and is currently serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Sgt. John Grimes carries a 155 mm round canister from the field artillery ammunition support vehicle at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in the Diyala Province, Iraq. Grimes is a member of A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Sgt Albert Cook runs out of a M109A6 Paladin, a Self-Propelled Howitzer, to retrieve canisters for indirect fire missions at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, in the Diyala Province of Iraq. The artillery Soldier is a member of A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry and is currently serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by Sgt. Jon Cupp Jan. 2, 2007 (Image date: Dec. 28, 2006)
Watching from a guard tower on Camp Taji, Iraq, Lt. Col. Martin Clausen (left), commander, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, and Staff Sgt. David Riggs, a supply specialist with the 410th Quartermaster Company attached to the 15th Sustainment Brigade and a native of Lorretto, Ky., observe a joint operation taking place between Iraqi Army troops from the 2nd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers of Troop D, 1st Bn., 82nd Field Artillery Regt Dec.28 in the Taji Market. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
For the first time durng Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation 06-08, artillerymen from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment had the opportunity to fire their Howitzer M109A6 Paladins Dec. 7 on Camp Taji, Iraq. The event provided the Soldiers the opportunity to calibrate their Howitzers. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Pfc. Matteo Bonomo, a cannoneer with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment prepares to load a Howitzer of the M109A6 Paladin Dec. 7 at a range on Camp Taji, Iraq. The Howitzer is just one of the many weapons Soldiers will use against insurgents who try to attack the camp with mortar fire. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Staff Sgt. Amin Henriquez, a canonneer and a native of Queens, N.Y., takes a call telling him to ready the Howitzer on his M109A6 Paladin for firing Dec.7 at a range on Camp Taji, Iraq. The Howitzers are just one of many weapons Soliders use to engage enemy insurgents who may try to attack the camp with mortar fire. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by Gunnery SGT Michael Q. Retana Dec. 12, 2006 (Image date: Nov. 29, 2006)
Marines prepare to attach a sling fastened to a M198 Medium Howitzer onto a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter in Al Asad, Iraq, on Nov. 29, 2006, The Super Stallion, from Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 465, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), will airlift the howitzer to Barwana, Iraq. Photo courtesy of DoD.
by Spc. Chris McCann Nov. 29, 2006 (Image date: Nov. 23, 2006)
Cpl. Clayton Carroll, a native of Pleasanton, Calif, and a dismount and radio-telephone operator for 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, poses with Ahmad, an Iraqi Army soldier, at a joint U.S.-Iraqi operation in Lutifiyah, Iraq, Nov. 21. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mountain Division. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by Pfc. William Hatton Nov. 29, 2006 (Image date: Nov. 23, 2006)
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Sgt. 1st Class Gail Caul, field artilleryman, Battery A, 14th Field Artilary Brigade, attached to 1st Cavalry Division, enjoys a conversation with the Honorable Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, during a Thanksgiving Day breakfast on Camp Liberty Nov. 23. Caul, a native of Waynesburg, VA., was one of several soldiers who spent time with Harvey to share their experiences and offer suggestions to improve the greatest Army in the world. Harvey acknowledged the difficulty of the present mission, but was certain the Army was meeting the challenge daily. U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. William Hatton, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Capt. Dave Norris and 1st Sgt. Thomas Richey, the commander and first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, present the “Steel Dragon” Soldiers the 1st Cavalry Division Combat Patch, Nov. 5, at LSA Anaconda. The combat patch symbolizes the Soldiers’ deployment to Iraq and is awarded after 30 days in a combat area. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by USO Mike Theiler Nov. 7, 2006 (Image date: Nov. 2, 2006)
This photo provided by the USO shows Film, television star and martial artist Chuck Norris, left, and fellow actor Marshall Teague inspect a 155mm M-109 A6 Paladin howitzer that has Norris' name stenciled on the barrel at Camp Ar Ramadi, Iraq, during a stop on a USO-sponsored tour to boost morale of US troops in the region, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006. Norris and Teague met with service members, shaking hands, taking photos and signing autographs in a week-long tour of Iraq and Kuwait. Photo courtesy of AP.
The command team of Battery A, 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, pose with their "Commander's Excellence in Retention Fiscal Year 2006" award presented during the brigade's Retention Awards Luncheon Monday at the Ironhorse Conference Center. The battery shares the title with 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment; 324th Network Support Company, and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Fires Bde. Shown here are (from left to right) Command Sgt. Maj. Gilbert Canuela and Col. Allen Batschelet, commander, both of Fires Bde.; Capt. Albert Bossar, commander, Btry. A, 26th FA Regt.; Sgt. 1st Class Mark Kirkland, career counselor, Fires Bde.; 1st Sgt. Brian Bruce, Btry. A, 26th FA Regt.; and Sgt. Maj. Arlene Horne, retention, 4th Inf. Div. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by Sgt. 1st Class Jerry Malec September 13, 2006 (Image date: September 2, 2006)
Spc. Sunray Spinks (front), a native of Dallas, and Spc. Gustavo Londono, from White Plains, N.Y., both communication network specialists with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, set up a tactical antenna on a rooftop at Forward Operating Base Scania in Multi-National Division--Baghdad South in support of contingency operations Sept. 2. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by 2nd Lt. Lawton King September 8, 2006 (Image date: September 2, 2006)
Iraqi Col. Monam Hashim Fahed, the battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, assumes control of security at the Abu Ghraib prison from U.S. Army Lt. Col. Stephen Quinn, the battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment. Several hours later, two representatives from the Iraqi Ministry of Justice received the keys to the prison from Army Maj. Gen. Jack Gardner, the commanding general of Task Force 134 and overseer of detainee operations in Iraq. The prison is now officially an Iraqi facility. Photo courtesy of USMC.mil.
by Spc. Anna-Marie Hizer August 28, 2006 (Image date: August 4, 2006)
A Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division takes a cup of Artillery punch, one of the rites of passage into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara, at Forward Operating Base Warrior. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
by Spc. Anna-Marie Hizer August 28, 2006 (Image date: August 4, 2006)
Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, 320th FA stand to be recognized before being inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara at Forward Operating Base Warrior. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Balad, Iraq - Sgt. Gilberto Rivera, an assist fire support non commissioned officer with Task Force Pacesetter's "A-Team," records data for a counter fire mission on a board at his workstation. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Lt. Col. Kevin Milton (center), battalion commander, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and Col. Laith (center right) director, Iraqi Civil Defense Center and Control Center, gather with Iraqi firefighters in front of their new fire truck in east Baghdad. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Spc. Edward Panico, track vehicle mechanic, 67th Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, receives the Combat Action Badge from Col. Allen Batschelet, commander, Fires Bde., 4th Inf. Div., during a ceremony July 11 at the battalion headquarters here. Panico, who hails from Westport, Conn., and three other Soldiers were driving out of Samarra, Iraq, in an M1114 up-armored humvee from Kuwait to Forward Operating Base Q-West, Iraq, when an improvised-explosive device detonated 10 meters from the vehicle Dec 27. The Soldiers credit their survival to training conducted before their deployment to Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
AbdulSalam Sabbar, 6, waits patiently in his new pediatric wheelchair as Capt. Charles Roberts, physician's assistant, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, shows his father how to make adjustments to it. Roberts and Spc. Christopher McCuiston, combat medic, fitted four local children for wheelchairs during the Q-West Civil Military Operations Center July 17. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Sgt. Maj. Luis Rivera, with the 25th Infantry Division RSO team, briefs soldiers from the 169th Colorado Army National Guard shortly after their arrival in Kuwait. After training in Kuwait, the 169th will push north into Iraq to join the 25th Infantry Division for its deployment. Photo Courtesy of DVIDS.
Maj. Gen. William Webster, 3rd Infantry Division commander, re-enlists Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Photo Courtesy of DIVDS.
Sgt. Emanual Nesbitt, from the 321st Field Artillery Regiment, uses the gun sight on a 155 mm howitzer to pinpoint a target during a live-fire exercise at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. Photo courtesy of Army.mil.
Col. Allen Batschelet, (left), commander, Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, applauds shortly after presenting the Army Commendation Medal to Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Smith, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Bde., 10th Mountain Div., July 1, for his support he provided to the Fires Bde. during their rotation to Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
U.S. Army Capt. Edward W. Keel plays with a child during a medical mission in Radwania, Baghdad, Iraq, June 24, 2006. Keel is the commander of Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery. The unit is working with the Iraqi army soldiers in providing free medical assistance to the local citizens. Photo courtesy of DoD.
by 526th BSB 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs June 16, 2006
Spc. Jason Klimesh, a Ridgeway, Iowa, native and small-arms repairman with Company E, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, works on an M119 howitzer flywheel in order to bring one of Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah North’s guns back to full mission capability. Location: Baghdad, Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Pfc. Brett Myles from the counter fire platoon, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, restacks ammo for the howitzer while working with the Counter Fire Platoon in Mahmahdiyah, Iraq. These Soldiers are one of the most utilized counter fire platoons in the Baghdad area. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Pfc. Manual Cordova, from 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, sights his target using a collimeter (used as an aiming reference for the M198 howitzer), during a live-fire exercise at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment fire the M198 howitzer during an exercise at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. This photo appeared at army.mil.
Waiting for the guns to fire, Capt. Andrew A. Morrison issued one final firing order during the change of command ceremony for Battery A, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Morrison was replaced by Capt. Charles F. Harmon III. Photo Courtesy of DVIDS.
Grasping his unit's guidon,Capt. Charles F. Harmon III (left) assumes command of A Battery, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Vuono (left) presided over the ceremony. Photo Courtesy of DVIDS.
Soldiers of A Battery, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stand between two Paladins awaiting their change of command. Photo Courtesy of DVIDS.
Lt. Col. Louis Lartigue, commander of the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, and Lt. Col. Richard Root, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, listen to a caller during a recent live radio call-in show in Tikrit, Iraq. This photo appeared at army.mil.
After receiving the call for a counter fire mission, April 25, in Mahmahdiyah, Iraq, Sgt. Timothy Olsen lifts the rear of the Howitzer and moves it quickly to acquire the appropriate range of the fire. From the time counter fire is called over the radio, the Soldiers of 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, have a maximum of three minutes to be ready to fire on the target, the quickest time the platoon has been laid and ready to fire was an astonishing one minute and 42 seconds. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.
The radio operator, Pfc. Brett Myles, for 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, relays the measurments for one of the counterfires called in Mahmahdiyah, Iraq. As soon as the counterfire is called the Soldier make an organized and methodical dash to each post in order to be ready to fire in less than three minutes. Photo Courtesy of DIVDS.
Charlie Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery perform a series of 155mm calibration fires to ensure accuracy in brigade operations. The tests were conducted at Forward Operating Base Courage, Mosul, Iraq. Photo Courtesy of DIVDS.
The 5th Battalion of the 113th FA Regiment organized the Boston Marathon in Iraq, which is sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association and sponsored by the OLN. The 26.2 mile run was the largest participatory morale and recreation event for coalition forces in Iraq. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Charlie Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery perform a series of 155-mm calibration fires to ensure accuracy in brigade operations. The tests were conducted at Forward Operating Base Courage. This photo appeared on DVIDS.
Akeel Husseen Abdullah, District Election Office 441 Director (left), Capt. Christopher Ortega, 445th Civil Affairs (right), and 3/320th commander, Lt. Col. Richard D. Root (background) discuss the up coming elections of Tikrit. Photo appeared on DVIDS.
Capt. Matthew J. Miesner, S-5, 3/320th Red Knights has photo taken with a child at a school for the deaf. Miesner meets with a city council member that runs the school. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Charlie Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery perform a series of 155-mm calibration fires to ensure accuracy in brigade operations. The tests were conducted at Forward Operating Base Courage. This photo appeared on DVIDS.
U.S. Army Sgt. Scott Manning carries away items found in a house during a sweep for weapons and items used to make improvised explosive devices in Baghdad, Iraq.
by Staff Sgt. Kevin L. Moses Sr. December 27, 2005
U.S. Army soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery train on firing points with an M119 Howitzer outside Camp Liberty in Iraq on Dec. 23, 2005. Photo courtesy of www.pentagon.mil.
Staff Sgt Charles Alexander (front) and Chief Warrant Officer Two John Terry of the 1-9 Field Artillery, 3rd ID operate the RAVEN system, taking surveillance photos of areas in downtown Baghdad, Iraq. Photo courtesy of www.army.mil.
Sgt. Juan Rivera, from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, launches the RAVEN unmanned aerial vehicle into the skies over downtown Baghdad, to take surveillance photos. Photo courtesy of army.mil.
A 1st Platoon, Battery A M-109A6 Paladin is engulfed in dust, sand and smoke immediately after firing recently on Forward Operating Base Speicher. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
Staff Sgt. Donnie Neal, section chief, 1st Platoon, Battery A, 1-41 FA, sits inside a M-109A6 Paladin before firing from Forward Operating Base Speicher. Photo courtesy of DVIDS.
