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Mobility Airmen and artillery Soldiers combine strengths

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Austin Knox
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration exercise at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, June 25, 2019.

The combination of rapid global mobility and agile ground artillery produces precision long-range mission execution. The purpose of this exercise was to showcase the speedy deployment and firing of the HIMARS.

“One of the marquee capabilities of our platform is being able to rapidly deploy via air, and quickly execute a raid fire-mission upon landing,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Michael Yoshino, 1st Platoon Baker Battery platoon leader. “Any opportunity we get to cross-train with an Air Force system, like the C-17 today, is great core training for us. The Soldiers love it!”

HIMARS are capable of striking targets several hundred kilometers out.  When that is combined with the transport capabilities of a C-17 Globemaster III, the options of the weapon system are greatly increased.

“As soon as those wheels touch the ground, it’s action time,” said Master Sgt. Collin Cenci, 305th Air Mobility Wing loadmaster. “We’re working hand-in-hand with Soldiers to make the mission happen. We’re both doing things outside of the normal realm of our responsibility, but whatever we must do to accomplish the mission, because time is of the essence if a real-world thing should ever occur. We make it happen, and make sure everyone understands their responsibilities in reaching the goal.”

This type of joint-training is crucial within the current scope of national defense. Aerial artillery raids provide battlefield commanders the flexibility of inserting a long-range fire capability beyond enemy lines to destroy any target.