On 13–14 May this year, the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Colonel Andrzej Lorenc, conducted a Fire Direction Training exercise under the code name Orkan-14, combined with live-fire exercises.
The aim of the training, which concluded nearly two weeks of field training at the CSAiU Training Centre, was to improve the organization of reconnaissance and the preparation of firing data, as well as command and communications.
Personnel serving at the regiment’s command posts improved their work organization in accordance with standing operating procedures, including the work of personnel solving tactical problems with the use of modern information and communications technology equipment.
Soldiers of the 1st self-propelled artillery squadron engaged targets from concealed firing positions. During the firing exercises, the automated Topaz Fire Control System was used, making it possible to optimize the use of means of destruction and, above all, reduce human error. The squadron carried out seven live-fire missions and five by comparing firing data. All projectiles hit with the required accuracy, and the results confirmed the artillerymen’s sound preparation for the practical execution of fire-support tasks, inspiring admiration among the American artillerymen training at the same time.
During the training, the execution of “Call for Fire” procedures was practised. For the first time, the artillerymen of the 23rd Artillery Regiment cooperated in this area with a JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) team and a reconnaissance group from the 18th Reconnaissance Regiment. The regular reconnaissance teams of the 23rd Artillery Regiment honed their skills in detecting and designating targets and directing artillery fire in accordance with applicable procedures.
After the live-fire phase, the subunits carried out tasks related to combat support, while the final element practised was the immediate decontamination of personnel and equipment following an attack with weapons of mass destruction.
(information: Capt. Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii)