April 9, 2003, 16:40 EST

First artillery live from from Pickett MOUT site
(Photos by Staff Sgt. Mark Turney, Virginia Guard Public Affairs Office)

A high angle view of a 155mm Howitzer from Bravo Battery 1st/172nd Field Artillery of Nashua, New Hampshire as it prepares to fire from the MOUT site located in the training area of Fort Pickett, VA. Marking the upper, lower left and right traverses ensures that the round fired will not leave the impact area or hit any of the buildings within the MOUT site. Historically, this marked the first time this New Hampshire unit has fired an artillery piece in Virginia since 1863 when this same unit won battle streamers for its participation in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Fredericksburg.


Bravo Battery gets ready to fire.



Careful sighting in of the 155mm Howitzer was necessary as the members of Bravo Battery 1st/172nd Field Artillery of Nashua New Hampshire prepare to fire their guns from the MOUT site located in the training area of Fort Pickett, VA.


Members of Bravo Battery 1st/172nd Field Artillery of Nashua New Hampshire ram home the 98-pound projectile that will be launched from the MOUT Site at Fort Pickett, VA. The 155mm Howitzer can fire a standard round nearly 17 miles.


Spec Francis Hyland, a 10 year veteran from Bravo Battery 1st/172nd Field Artillery of Nashua New Hampshire, provides flank security for the 155mm Towed Howitzer as the rest of the gun crew prepares the gun for a fire mission. This firing is historic in several ways. This marks the first time this New Hampshire unit has fired an artillery piece in Virginia since 1863 when this same unit won battle streamers for its participation in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Fredericksburg. This also marks the first time that any artillery piece has been fired from the MOUT site at Fort Pickett, VA.