European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 8, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Stories and photos by John Millar Wurzburg Bureau blasting plywood targets into Smithereens is. Something Akin to heaven on Earth for a Tanker. So soldiers from the 1 St brigade 3rd inf div were somewhat shaken when a Low pressure system called operation desert shield moved in on their gunnery and blasted them off Cloud nine and their tanks like so much Cannon fodder. The soldiers came Back to Earth when they had to leave their tanks in the Middle of Quot busting Caps Quot a term tankers use to describe firing the main guns on their m1a1 Abrams tanks two of the battalions four tank companies had already fired at the Grafe Wohr combined arms training Center in Germany when members of the 2nd army  took Over their tanks said staff sgt Phillip Walker of he co 4th in 69th Armor. A a the tank is the tank commanders Pride and Joy a Walker said Quot it s hard for him to just give it to someone  a a. A a a a a but the 3rd inf div soldiers had Good reason to hand Over their cherished 60-ton machines. They were giving their fellow tankers in the cavalry unit one last Chance to fire before deploying to saudi Arabia and possibly having to train their sights on a totally new set of targets a the kind that shoots Back. When word came Down that Vii corps units would deploy to the persian Gulf 3rd inf div soldiers went from a being trainees to trainers said division training officer maj. Jim Morris. The training is More than just a last Chance to fire he said. For some tank and Bradley fighting vehicle. Crews its the first time they be had a Chance to train As a team before facing a real life threat. Because of Soldier transfers promotions and others leaving the army tank and Bradley Crews often find themselves with new members Quot the Way. Tank Crews. Change it s Betterto put them together Here than to put them together there in Saud Arabia / Walker Sald. Quot i Don to think you can just throw a Guy in a tank and Send him int Battle and expect him of come Back alive., Morris said his Mission is to qualify Crews that have never fired together before and verify that those who have can ,. Still work together to put bullets on target. And there s More to that than just lending out a couple of tanks. Some 3,000 3rd inf div soldiers Are now at Grafe Wohr to Quot the next set off targets May shoot Back help deploying soldiers from other Vii corps units get up to snuff before leaving Germany Morris said the divisions troops Are operating Granges to qualify tank and Bradley Crews As Well As artillery air defense artillery and Engineer soldiers. There Are also ranges for deploying soldiers who heed to qualify on individual weapons such As machine guns. A. ,. A the division has already completed gunnery a qualifications for the 2nd army , which included 57 tank and 59 Bradley Crews Morris said. They re now working Ori getting 37 tank and 66 Bradley Crews from the 1st army div qualified. Because most of the deploying units have already shipped their vehicles and equipment to the Gulf the division supplies everything from tanks and transportation to bullets billets and food. They also Supply a rigid two Day three night training schedule to make sure everyone gets to fire a Quot All my Guys have to do is  a bus come Down Here and get on a Range draw a tank Load it up with ammunition and Start shooting Quot said capt. Kevin Hilger gunnery officer for the 1 St army div. Quot As soon As they re done they get Back on the bus to go Home and there a another group in right behind them we re continuously running those . Quot ,. =. A. \ for Bradley Crews the experiences meant some training. Firsts Hilger said. It s the first time Bradley Crews in Europe have been Able to use practice rounds that simulate firing Armor piercing Sabot ammunition. They normally train Only with High explosive anti tank practice rounds he said. Each Bradley Crew was also Given one practice Tow anti tank missile to fire Higier said. Normally Quot they won t see that Many tows in a year Quot he said. Training on the tank ranges emphasizes a Crews ability to work together to deliver deadly accurate fire Walker. Said. While qualifying tankers get 10 rounds to shoot at 10. Targets Het said some  targets some pop up in pairs some Are moving. A the idea is to kill the right tank first a whichever is the biggest  a / Crews also have one engagement that they have to perform in full chemical protective gear with tank hatches. Closed. Quot i think that s a Good one for where they re going Quot Walker said. A a. While the qualifications have stringent standards Walker said some areas have been changed in Light of the training goal. For example Crews Are normally docked Points during qualification for using the wrong terminology. Something tankers know As Quot Crew  but Crews going through redeployment gunnery  worry if they say. Quot i see the target Quot rather than using the proper term.  v a r 1 1. 1v Quot for this training  you hit that target Quot Walker said. Quot this could be the last time these Guys see targets that Aren t shooting Back at them. So they re taking it  a i a. .1 rec i l/1"�?T a Page 14the stars and stripes saturday o