Out with a bang! 'Iron Thunder' finishes strong in Poland

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Emphasizing sustained combat readiness, Paladin's belonging to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conduct their final fire missions of the rotation completing Artillery Table XV at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024, wrapping up the battalion's successful forward deployment in the European Theater. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Concluding their European deployment with a display of formidable firepower, Paladins belonging to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment affirm the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division's enduring commitment to our NATO Allies and partners at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - In a showcase of operational readiness, Bravo and Charlie Batteries of the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conduct their final fire missions of the rotation completing Artillery Table XV at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024, wrapping up the battalion's successful forward deployment in the European Theater. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Demonstrating unwavering lethality, Bravo and Charlie Batteries of the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conduct their final fire missions of the rotation completing Artillery Table XV at Forward Operation Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in in the European Theater. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL

TORUŃ, Poland — The thunderous echoes of artillery fire ring out across the training grounds in Toruń as the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (4-27 FA), aptly known as "Iron Thunder," concluded their rigorous Artillery Table XV exercise, which ran from Feb. 13-21, 2024.

The intense training in Poland showcased the battalion's precision and readiness to align with NATO forces.

4-27 FA, deployed as part of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division immersed themselves in a comprehensive exercise that assessed their capabilities in battery occupations and artillery fire missions.

The Artillery Table XV exercise culminated their training, emphasizing the cohesion and effectiveness of each battery as a lethal fighting force. It evaluated their ability to swiftly and accurately employ the Paladin M109A7 Artillery system, a crucial component in the modern artillery arsenal.

"Staying prepared to operate in different terrains is important. Multi-domain readiness is the ability for a battery to move anywhere and be effective," explained Staff Sgt. Paul Presti, an artillery cannon crew chief in Charlie Battery, 4-27 FA. "When you get Soldiers from every level and train them in different environments, you see them open their eyes to how to operate the most effectively."

1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Executing precision fires, soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment contribute to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division's robust capabilities during the Artillery Table XV at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, demonstrates her unyielding commitment and resolve to the mission as she loads artillery ammunition onto a Paladin. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A Paladin from the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, showcases precision during Artillery Table XV at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on February 22, 2024, marking the culmination of the battalion's forward deployment in the European Theater. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in the European Theater. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Field artillery, often called "The King of Battle," holds a critical mission — to destroy, neutralize or suppress the enemy. Artillery units must effectively qualify by accurately and efficiently delivering rounds on targets at considerable distances to accomplish this critical mission.

The Artillery Table XV exercise validated Iron Thunder's prowess in achieving these objectives.

"A large training aspect of this Table is moving and operating as a battery and as a whole. You have to be prepared for anything from [casualty evacuation] to vehicle recovery, the whole nine yards," stated Presti.

Certifications of this nature ensure that every echelon of the battalion, from platoons to batteries, functions as a cohesive and lethal force capable of responding to any contingency.

Presti also emphasized the importance of such training for leaders, allied forces and individual Soldiers. "Troops are learning everything from security operations, basic field artillery and maintenance on the M109A6 and overall building repetitions through intense training."

1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Paladins assigned to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, maintain peak lethality in the final live fire exercise on February 22, 2024, concluding the battalion's forward deployment in the European Theater at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - A Soldier from Bravo Battery, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, receives a fire mission during Artillery Table XV at Foward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - The 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, conducted their final Artillery Table XV of their rotation solidifying the brigade's lethal posture and continuous support to our NATO Allies and partners in the European Theater at Forward Operating Station Toruń, Poland on Feb. 22, 2024. The intense training showcased the battalion's precision and readiness in it's mission supporting Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevares Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Paladin crew members navigated tight quarters, requiring precise coordination and anticipation of each other's actions, especially in scenarios where every second is critical.

"Training out here will challenge you both mentally and physically," Sgt. Tory Sunnes, Paladin gunner assigned to the Charlie Battery, 4-27 FA, emphasized. "We're out here to create a lethal force; our training is a great way to show that."

Ultimately, the Artillery Table XV exercise proved successful, validating Iron Thunder's collective skills and readiness. The demonstrated proficiency affirmed the battalion's preparedness to integrate seamlessly with NATO forces, ready to respond to any conflict or emerging threat.

"Our batteries are in Poland training to be lethal. And we've shown that we are ready to be lethal when the moment arises." expressed Sunnes.

The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team maintains many combat-capable forces in Europe. It exists to deter aggression; if deterrence fails, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies and partners against that aggression. The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, is forward deployed to Europe in support of the 3rd Infantry Division, V Corps at Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland.

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