Fighting New Battles - Arkansas National Guard

The Arkansas MinutemanArmaments), and is manufactured in Chambersburg, Pa. Thesystem was first fielded in 1994.The striking, tank-like Paladin is operated by a crew offour that includes a commander, driver, gunner and loader,and is able to operate independently. The crew can receivemission data, compute the firing data, automatically unlock thecannon from the travel lock, point and fire, and quickly moveto a new firing location all without any external technical assistance.This “shoot and scoot” capability more sustainableand effective in the face of counterbattery fire.The most noticeable feature of the 32-ton Paladin is the39-calibre, 155mm M284 cannon, which has a range of 11miles for unassisted rounds. According to www.army-technology.com,the system has a maximum firing rate of eight roundsper minute, and a sustained firing rate of one round per threeminutes. An automatic fire control system with a ballisticcomputer operate the gun. The vehicle’s inertial positioningand navigation system is integrated into the automatic firecontrol system.The large turret was designed with crew protection inmind. Nuclear, chemical and biological warfare protection isintegrated into the heated and air conditioned crew compartment,and the turret is fitted with a Kevlar spall suppressionlining designed to dissipate the effects of a direct attack.The vehicle is powered by a 2-cycle 440 horsepowerdiesel and a tough transmission that includes four forward andtwo reverse gears. The Paladin has a range of 214 miles and amaximum speed of 40 miles per hour.As the 2nd Battalion wrapped up its transition to thePaladin, its troops began to prepare their own transition fromcitizens to Soldiers. The battalion received an 18-monthmobilization order to support Operation Iraqi Freedom onMarch 5. Over 300 Soldiers with the unit are slated to join thelist of over 400 other troops from the 142nd who are currentlymobilized in support of the global war on terrorism.The battalion has units in Fort Smith, Van Buren, SiloamSprings and Ozark, Ark., and is scheduled for a July mobilizationto Camp Shelby, Miss., prior to deploying to the Iraqitheatre of operations, where they are projected to perform asecurity mission. They will receive specialized training at themobilization station to equip them with the skills necessary tocomplete the task.“This battalion has a long and proud lineage of supportof the nation’s defense, participating in every major conflictbut one since 1893,” said Lt. Col. John B. Posey, commanderof the 2nd Battalion. “Although this is not a standard FiresBrigade mission, my Soldiers are very excited to do what thenation has asked of them in support of the global war on terrorism.”With the addition of the 2nd Battalion, the 142nd willhave nearly 800 of its Soldiers mobilized. The brigade’s 1stbattalion currently has units in Kosovo and Iraq. The additionwill bring the total number of mobilized Arkansas Army andAir National Guard members to over 1,100. Since Sept. 11,2001, the Arkansas National Guard has mobilized approximately7,500 service members.Photo by 1st Lt. Chris HeathscottSummer 2006 Page 17