The sky is the limit for Spartan artillery on the move

  • Published
  • By Spc. Eric-James Estrada
  • Task Force Spartan Public Affairs
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan --  Paratroopers from Task Force Spartan Steel coordinated the transportation of an M777 155-mm howitzer on Forward Operating Base Salerno to Combat Outpost Chamkani, March 27.

The move was conducted to upgrade the capability of indirect fire support for members of Task Force Gold Geronimo, which is based in Paktya province.

Riggers from the 725th Brigade Support Battalion, Task Force Centurion, provided the expertise to ensure the weapon system could be moved safely, using a CH-46 civilian-contracted helicopter.

The M777 howitzer has a weight close to 10,000 pounds and a deployed length of roughly 35 feet. Army 1st Sgt. Michael Strate, C Battery, TF Spartan Steel, from International Falls, Minn., said the howitzer isn't a typical gun that can be replaced at an arms room.

"We were out there because that is our equipment and even though it may be a tough piece of artillery, it also is delicate," Strate said. "I believe that it needed special attention to ensure the howitzer would be emplaced without any damage and be ready to fire."
The mission also gave the Soldiers of TF Spartan Steel and TF Centurion an opportunity to execute live training they have been tested and drilled on time again through instruction, Strate said.

While TF Spartan Steel was there to ensure the safety and proper loading of their equipment, the paratroopers from TF Centurion were there to handle the rigging of the howitzer.

"We use BSB because when we're back at home station, they're the riggers," Sgt. Mark Barber, a motor transport operator, from Lake Jackson, Texas, with Headquarters Battery, TF Spartan Steel said. "They're the ones that go through this. They're all slick qualified. They're all sling load qualified. They're very familiar with the proper way of rigging these systems to help it to fly safely whenever we maneuver it and they pretty much run the (helicopter landing zone) for that reason."