On Watch

Cpl. Steven Kubersk, India Battery, 3/11, Helmand Province, 9/16/09.

USMC Photo Sgt. Christopher R. Rye

On Your Six, America

Cpl. Steven Kuberski, India Three Eleven, on patrol Sept 16, 2009 Helmand Province.
Photo Sgt. Christopher R. Rye

How to Hoist Your Howitzer Class at India Battery 3/11 photos Christopher Rye

Marines with Gun Three, India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fasten ropes and chains to an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer during training for helicopter transport
Cpl. Matthew Esquivel, left, and Lance Cpl. Edgar Carachure fasten chains to an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer for training on helicopter transport at Fire Base Fiddler's Green
Lance Cpl. William McClellan fastens ropes for training on helicopter transport of an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer at Fire Base Fiddler's Green in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 23, 2009.

Staff Sgt. Stephen Lapek, India Battery, 3/11th, teaches a class for fellow Marines on the proper procedure for rigging an M777A2 lightweight howitzer for helicopter transport at Fire Base Fiddler's Green, Afghanistan, Sept. 23, 2009.USMCphoto Sgt. Christopher R. Rye

India 3/11 C.O.

Capt. Chad Althiser, left, inspects damages to an Afghan man's home in the Helmand province of Afghanistan Sept. 5, 2009, as 1st Lt. Julio Aguilera, far right, prepares a claims form for the owner. Capt. Althiser is the commanding officer of India Battery, 3/11. Aguilera is an intelligence officer attached to HQ. Battery.USMC photo Sgt. Christopher R. Rye

Sharp eyes out with India Three Eleven

Cpl. Anthony Puariea holds security as fellow Marines inspect a damaged wall in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 5, 2009. Puariea is a radio operator attached to India Battery, 3/11
photo Sgt. Christopher R. Rye

Sgt. Antonio Ayala, India 3/11, Shows off the M777A2 155 Howitzer -Fire Base Fiddlers Green

Sgt. Antonio Ayala, India 3/11, explains the capabilities of an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer to British Brig. Gen. David Hook, Operations Division, at Fire Base Fiddler's Green, Helmand province Aug. 27, 2009. Photo Sgt. Christopher R. Rye--

Global Security:"The M777A2 fires unassisted projectiles to a range of 15 miles and assisted projectiles to 19 miles, but the addition of the digital fire control system enables the weapon to program and fire the improved Excalibur precision-guided munition to ranges in excess of 25 miles with and land within 10 meters of its target.

It is able to fire up to five rounds per minute and is capable of firing high-explosive rounds up to 25 kilometers and place them within three meters of their intended targets.

Weighing in at less than 4,200 kilograms, the revolutionary M77A27 is the world's first artillery weapon to make widespread use of titanium and aluminum alloys, resulting in a howitzer that is half the weight of conventional 155 mm systems.

"The weight reduction improves transportability and mobility without impacting range or accuracy," Shields said.

The lightweight M777A2 can be air lifted into remote high altitude locations inaccessible by ground transportation and is capable of being transported by the Marine Corps' new V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft as well as all medium- and heavy-lift helicopters."

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