US Army’s 41st Field Artillery Brigade conducts live-fire exercise

The US Army 41st Field Artillery Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment has conducted a live-fire exercise in Germany.

During the exercise, the unit used an M270A1 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) to fire a reduced range practice rocket. The firing was conducted at the Grafenwoehr Training Area on 27 January.

It is the regiment’s first live-fire exercise since its restart in September last year.

US Army 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment 1-6 FA Battalion commander lieutenant colonel Angel Llompart said: “This is the first live-fire of a European-based unit since 2004.

“It is a key milestone in our readiness that indicates that we can now transition to more collective training with our partners and allies.”

The live-fire follows months of training and testing by the unit’s soldiers.

This event demonstrates the capability of the unit and ensures readiness in safeguarding partners and allies across Europe.

Battalion command sergeant major David Cecil said: “This live-fire isn’t just a crew certification.

“It allows soldiers to demonstrate their ability to provide long-range precision fires within the European theatre.”

The MLRS M270A1 is a combat-proven, all-weather, lethal and responsive, tracked precision strike weapon system.

It includes a modified M993A1 Bradley Carrier mounted with the M269 Launcher Loader Module. Six Guided MLRS (GMLRS)/MLRS rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System missile are carried by MLRS’ two launch pods.

The live-fire exercise was performed under a heavy fog weather condition.

Llompart added: “No matter what obstacle we face, even if it is foggy with limited visibility like it is for this exercise, we will always complete the mission of the battalion.”