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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 25, 2008 No. 08-087 COMMUNITY INVITED TO KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD UNIT'S LIVE FIRE EXERCISE The 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard,
will conduct its Multiple Launch Rocket System "live fire" exercise
at Fort Riley, Kan., on Sept. 13, 2008. The public is invited to attend.
Guests will begin arriving at 11 a.m. and shuttles to the viewing area
will end at 12 p.m. The first rockets will be sent downrange at approximately
12:30 p.m. Anyone interested in coming to see the battalion in action should call
the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery's local Armory or the battalion
administrative officer, Capt. Larry Leupold, at 785-742-5605 for directions
to the live fire site. The battalion fielded the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System in 1997,
converting from M110 eight-inch howitzer cannon system. The capabilities
of the M270 MLRS system make it one of the most versatile field artillery
systems available in the Army's inventory. Its range, mobility and lethality
allow it to execute the full spectrum of fire support, providing close
support to maneuver units, protecting the force with counter fire, and
attacking operational targets for a division or corps. MLRS units are positioned far forward and use their shoot-and-scoot capability
to improve survivability. Forward positioning is critical to accomplish
the battalion's deep fire missions in support of the maneuver commander.
The M270 fires several types of ordnance with ranges varying from 32 km
to 300 km (approximately 20 to 186 miles). The M26 rocket is the basic rocket for the MLRS. The M270 has the capability
to launch 12 rockets in less than 60 seconds at up to six aim points.
Each rocket dispenses 644 M77 dual-purpose improved conventional munitions.
The armed sub-munitions detonate on impact and can penetrate up to four
inches of armor. The 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, which holds the lineage and
honors of the 130th Field Artillery Regiment, traces its heritage to the
1st Kansas Artillery formed in 1868. Units or soldiers of the regiment
have served in every conflict since the Civil War. The battalion was last
activated for duty in December of 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
where the battalion was given various force protection missions in and
around the Baghdad Area of Operations. The regiment has been awarded streamers
for numerous campaigns, to include: Muese-Argonne, Alsace, Lorraine, the
Aleutian Islands and the European Theatre. The battalion has armories
in Hiawatha, Sabetha, Marysville, Concordia, Horton, Troy, Atchison, Salina
and Abilene. -30- |
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