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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 12, 2008 No. 08-095 The 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard, will conduct its Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) “Live Fire” exercise at Fort Riley, Kan., on Sept. 13, 2008. The live fire will happen rain or shine and tents will be set up to protect viewers from the rain. The public is invited to attend. The live fire will be held at the Multi Purpose Range Complex located 25 miles north of Fort Riley on Highway 77. Upon arrival to the complex you will see two tanks. Shuttles will take you from this area to the range. Guests should 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. 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 kilometers (km) to 300 km. 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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