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PHILIPPINE SEA— The order to open fire is called and a steady
staccato pounds the ears. The acrid smell of gunpowder fills the
nose and before long, left standing in a field of spent brass are
the ship's steadfast defenders.
Gunner's mates (GM) from
Weapons Department is G-2 division stand by and are ready to protect
the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald
Reagan (CVN 76) and her crew.
“We are ready to act as the
ship's first line of defense,” said Gunner's Mate Seaman Jacob
Scott, from Dunlap, Tennessee. “We have multiple layers of
protection to keep our ship from harm, but when it's time to fight
back, we are always ready.”
G-2 division provides several
mission-essential services to the ship and her crew.
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November 18, 2015 - Hull Technician Fireman Leahmond Tyre, left, from Philadelphia, and Hull Technician Fireman Monica Huerta, from Tucson, Ariz., weld a brace bar using a stick welder aboard the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan McFarlane)
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“We operate the ship's armory, run the arms and
ammunition program and account for more than 200 guns,” said
Scott. “We also conduct small-arms training at least once a
week. We do this so we can be sure that whomever is going to
be using our weapons knows exactly what they're doing.”
According to Scott, GMs organize and conduct weapons
training for other Sailors, such as Security Department
personnel, so they can be knowledgeable and effective with
weapons.
“We offer training programs
such as dry-fire exercises, weapon familiarity and
proficiency training,” said Gunner's Mate Seaman Austin
Perry, from Lincoln, Maine. “Potential participants need to
ask permission from G-2 division office to attend a given
class. If granted, they will be saved a spot on the next
event that we do. During any event GMs will be standing by
to provide advice and ensure safety procedures are
followed.”
According to Perry, G-2's arsenal contains
a variety of weapons that range from an M9 pistol to an MK38
machine gun.
“We're all about small arms,” said
Perry. “We have about 10 different types of weapons like
assault rifles, shotguns, machines gun — you name it.
Whatever the situation is, there's a perfect gun for it.”
With a focus on weaponry, a nine-month “A” school is
required to ensure new GMs are ready to perform in the
fleet.
“A GM is required to know how to use any gun
safely and effectively,” said Perry. “We learn about all the
guns they could ever use, from the biggest weapon to the
smallest. We also need to know all weapons-handling
procedures, maintenance and operation of our guns, as well
as the hydraulic and electronic systems that compose larger
weapons, like the 5-inch cannons. GMs have to be absolutely
sure that at any time, anyone of us will be able to respond,
and of course, shoot better than anyone else.”
“We
are one of the first Navy rates,” said Chief Gunner's Mate
Edison Norford, G-2 division leading chief petty officer.
“We started off as the people who fired the cannons on old
ships of sail. We do the same thing today, just with better
guns.”
Ronald Reagan and its embarked air wing,
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that
protects and defends the collective maritime interests of
the U.S. and its allies and partners in the
Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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