In May, I received an
invitation from 2nd Marine Tank Battalion via USMC Vietnam Tankers
association to attend their annual tank competition. It was short notice but I
pulled out all the stops to get to Camp Lejeune by June 4th for the
shoot out the next day on range S10. Master Gunnery Sgt. Sanchez replied to my
endless emails and answered my questions. I was even able to bring my lifelong
friend Mel Barrera, an aspiring photographer who had done a great job shooting
many of my car races.
Each year the tankers
wring out their 244 tank crews to come up with the top crews from 1st, 2nd, and 4th tank battalions, sending
the best from each to slug it out at Tiger Comp on simulated engagements with main
gun and machine guns at rotating military sites in the US. They are judged by
speed of engagement, accuracy and crew communication.
It has been decades since
I was a gunner and then TC with 2nd platoon C. Company, 1st tank
1967-68 Vietnam. Just like the Marine saying “Once a Marine...” we say “Once a tanker, always a tanker.” I was really looking forward to seeing changes in both Marines and
equipment. I operated M48a3 Patton Tanks and today they use a M1a2 Abrams. It’s a world of difference
since the mid 60s.
These days they have bigger
guns (90mm to 120mm), better armor, faster better engines (diesel to turbine),
Starwars sighting systems and communications, and all at a weight gain of only
8 tons.
I had the opportunity to
meet the 1st tank crew and swap some sea stories and get answers to a few of my
questions. One surprise was the fact that RPGs were still able to get inside
due to improved warheads. I knew that massive IEDs had been able to blow them
up in Iraq, but thought the new armor had all but defeated vulnerability to the
common RPG. Tank crews have not changed as much as their gear has. The crews
are still close knit, young and a bit cocky; it was as if I were jawing with my
old crew. Only difference I noticed was these tankers were wearing nomex
jumpsuits and they were a bit more tech savvy.
Things kicked right off
after a brief explanation of the course of fire, random problems of pop ups and
moving targets that the crews would have to engage, both from defilade and on
the move.The crews took their turns at the course, engaging and hitting targets
at excess of 2500 meters, starting with firing from fixed defilade positions to
the left and right of the range, and then running deep into the range to fire
on pop-ups both to the left and right of their line of approach. The flashes
arrived a few seconds ahead of the “booms” and “braaaaps” of the gunfire. I watched some of this deeper
action through some 8 power German field glasses. Most of the spectators were
missing this fast and furious action going on well down range.
The crews consisted of:
1st Tank Bn.
C.O.: LtCol. Lee Rush
TC: Sgt. John Hunter
Gunner: Cpl. Christopher Aguilar
Loader: L/Cpl. Andrew Ghataora
Driver: L/Cpl. Victor Ruiz
2nd Tank Bn.
C.O. LtCol. Robert Bodisch
TC: Ssgt. Joseph Lowery
Gunner: Cpl. Charles Smith III
Loader: L/Cpl. Ryan Foster
Driver L/Cpl. Keondre Mitchell
4th Tank Bn.
C.O.: LtCol. John Valencia
Inspector-Instructer: LtCol. Ronald Storer
TC: 1st Lt. Andrew Bender
Gunner: Cpl. Johny Mitchell
Loader:Cpl. Soren Shay
Driver: L/Cpl. Jakxon Wolfe
THE WINNERS
1st Place- 2nd Tank Bn. 2nd Place- 4th Tank Bn. 3rd Place- 1st
Tank Bn.
The winning crew received
the Sgt Robert McCard (MOH) trophy and other awards and prizes to include items
from General Dynamics and a Navy/Marine Corps Commendation medal.
After the crews took their
turns, they performed a demonstration; the symphony of multiple 120mm main guns
and Ma Duce fire almost took me back to Vietnam. It was music that I will
always enjoy and appreciate, the sheer power of Queens of battle.
Best show ever, and...best
job I ever had!
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