A highly-technical camera and detection system now occupies the turret once inhabited by the gunner. Inside the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle, the gunner controls and monitors the system by a sophisticated computer system.
PAKTIKA PROVINCE — Members of the Paktika PRT recently completed test-fires and final training on their newest tool to help ensure safety outside the wire. Select members of the SECFOR element of the PRT successfully test-fired their new Crew Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), August 6, reaching the capstone of their 60-hour training requirement.
This is the first time members of the team have fielded the system. On the hillside several hundred meters away, small plastic bottles filled with water served as targets, virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding terrain by the naked eye. With pinpoint accuracy, the targets were eliminated in rapid succession by the gunners, to the great delight of those on the convoy.
Before, gunners were exposed to the elements and to enemy actions, while perched above their MRAP all terrain vehicles. Not anymore. “This CROWS system allows the gunner to be inside the vehicle protected by armor, which is great,” said Army Spc. Aaron Franklin, a gunner for the PRT who belongs to the B/1-178th FAR, S. Carolina Army NG. "It also helps provide me with much more visibility and accuracy, in order to do my job more effectively.”
The CROWS system is seen as a fantastic benefit for the PRT, located at FOB Sharana, in SE Afghanistan. The accuracy of the system allows the gunner to maintain the same sectors of fire as before, only now he has technological advances, such as zoom and detection capability that wasn’t available before. In addition, the gunner now patrols his sector of fire behind inches of life-saving armor protection. “I love putting war fighters out of harm’s way,” said Leroy Obray, who is an instructor and field service rep for Tank Automotive Command, who equips CF units with the system. “As a retired soldier myself, saving soldiers’ lives is gratifying work. This system is designed to provide more accuracy when engaging targets, due to the zooming technology the system contains,” he said. “In addition, there are certain properties of the system that could assist in IED detection, further protecting the entire convoy from attack.” Obray sees great things for the future of the CROWS system. “This system is something everyone should have on their vehicle,” he said. “I've heard that the CROWS system will start to be used on a lot more weapon systems, and I think they should put one on every type of vehicle to enhance a gunner’s effectiveness. It’s too bad the length of training time limits the amount of people who can learn the system, because the entire crew could benefit from knowing this system, just in case something ever happened to the gunner.”-30-
The govs. of each prov. will have to implement the program, which will be hard because each prov. has its own problems, said Mohammad Stanekzai, an Afghan minister through a translator. “What I find promising is the GoA realizes the diverse nature of each prov., so they're taking a holistic approach and assessing each individual case on its own history and merits,” said Army Col. Andrew Poppas, 101st AD, 1st BCT cmdr. “It's progressive, beneficial and necessary.”
The 2nd topic of discussion was election processes and mitigation issues. This part of the discussion entailed ensuring every Afghan who wants to vote gets to. “Election security is very important; as of 18 Sept., the world will be watching Afghanistan,” said Campbell. ”We'll make this a safe election.” Members from the RC-East command group, Afghan municipal mayors, eastern Afghanistan provincial govs., Independent Directorate of Local Govt ministers, and ANA cmdrs were some of the orgs. that attended.“This was a very successful engagement by the Air Weapons Team (AWT),” said Army 1st Lt. Terrance Avery, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Regt chief of ops. “It’s a good day when so many insurgents are eliminated at once.”
As part of Op Shamshir, a combined SECFOR of ANP, ANA Soldiers and U.S. Soldiers went into the mountains to search the AWT engagement area, and capture evidence or intel that could lead to future disruption of the enemy. As they patrolled into the area, 4 insurgents attacked the security element. The combined SECFOR returned fire and eliminated the threat. “Our Afghan partners continue to operate extremely well,” said Army Capt. Adam Nordin, plt leader for Scout Plt, 3rd Bn. “They maneuvered very effectively even in the difficult terrain of the mountains.” After killing the 4 insurgents, the scout’s patrol captured a collection of IED making material, sleeping bags, tents and AK-47s, which confirmed the use of the area as a staging ground for insurgent activity. “The elimination of this staging area was the highlight of a 10-day-long U.S. and Afghan op,” said Army Lt. Col David Fivecoat, cmdr of 3rd Bn, 187th. “Destroying this insurgent cell will make it safer for people to travel from Sharana to Orgun-E.”"The defence of this FOB demonstrates that the partnership between the Afghan and CF is growing and working," said AF Col. James Dawkins, ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Ops Center dir. No CF were hurt in the attacks.
The partnered force returned fire, and close air support was used during the engagement to drop precision guided munitions on the insurgent firing positions. The compounds in the area were not damaged, and no women or children were harmed.
By Capt. Erik Lampe
Story and photos by Pvt. DeAngelo Wells