– Monday’s firing exercise proceeded in accordance with the assumptions adopted beforehand. It was a five out of five – assesses the platoon commander, Lieutenant Michał Parzewski. To conduct the fire-control training, the Fire Support Group (GWO), with the assistance of Combat Group “A”, secured the area.
Five rounds were fired from the DANA self-propelled howitzer (152 mm). At the Ghazni base, where, among others, artillerymen from Bolesławiec are stationed, a tremendous boom could be heard. Clouds of dust rose into the air. However, as Senior Warrant Officer Jerzy Szymków, the gun’s driver and mechanic, points out, firing the rounds is only one stage of the training. – After firing, the crew is required to carry out a technical inspection of the gun. It is always checked for leaks or faults. The spent casings have to be removed. The barrel has to be cleaned – the soldier explains. – The gun must be ready to fire again as quickly as possible.
– Artillery fire-control training looks somewhat different during a mission and at home. The terrain, among other things, is of great importance – Jerzy Szymków points out. – Here, we often fire over built-up areas. Both the personnel and the equipment have to be properly coordinated.
The exercise was attended by: the gun commander, Junior Warrant Officer Jarosław Frąk, Jerzy Szymków, Junior Warrant Officer Artur Kompiński (gunner), and two ammunition handlers: Sergeant Cezary Płóciennik and Senior Sergeant Mirosław Ćwik.
This was the first time they had fired the self-propelled howitzer in Afghanistan. – Training like this is an opportunity to develop a method of operation and improve coordination. Besides, the first firing exercise during each rotation is a kind of technical test of the equipment, which must, after all, be ready for use at all times. I am not worried about its maintenance; real professionals take care of it. We must, however, be certain that the equipment will not let us down – adds Michał Parzewski.
The Fire Support Group of the sixth rotation of the Polish Task Forces consists of soldiers from the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade from Bolesławiec and the Artillery Squadron from Jarosław, as well as anti-aircraft troops from Rzeszów. The GWO is commanded by Major Mariusz Pyżyk.
(report by Bogumiła Piekut/ii)