Soldiers have a blast shooting cannons again after six-year hiatus

By Spc. Alexandria Hughes

32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team

The thunderous blast of a 105-mm light towed howitzer and the smell of cannon smoke soon mingled with shouts and cheers from Soldiers in the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery.

The last time the artillery component of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team fired their M119-A2 howitzers was in the spring of 2005. A series of deployments silenced the guns until June 18, as the 120th took part in its first brigade-wide annual training in years.

"Some of the Soldiers have gone on two deployments since the 120th has fired the howitzers," said Pfc. Jonathan T. Strande, a cannoneer for Battery A, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery. "Six years is too long. Everybody joined artillery for a reason, and we were all itching to get back on the guns."

Sgt. Alan W. Sazama, a howitzer gunner for Battery A, is part of the team given the opportunity to fire the first shot after winning a "top gun" competition - a contest between howitzer crews to see who could be ready to fire in the shortest amount of time, while meeting all safety measures. The competition reflects the need to be fast and accurate, because in combat a few moments' delay in sending cannon fire downrange can cost the lives of those calling for artillery support.

"The fastest and the safest to lay the piece won," Sazama said. To "lay the piece" means the cannon is properly emplaced and aligned with safety and aiming devices.

"It felt incredible to be number one," Strande said. "The competition was battalion level, with two units and 10 sections, but we were the one's able to pull together and work as a team."

Sazama agreed. "We are honored to be given the chance to do this, especially when it means so much to the unit," he said.

The 1st Batallion, 120th Field Artillery is headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, with subordinate units in Marshfield and Stevens Point.

With renewed motivation, and high spirits, the 120th continued training. "We're going to expand and build on what we're doing here," Sazama said. "The first shot was just the first step."