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DEL.ICIO.USCROWS nest: Safe, armed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tallil Air Base, Iraq — This was when hours of practice on an Xbox might have come in handy.
Sgt. Ernest Lawson sat behind the driver in a Humvee, eyes fixed on a computer screen mounted in front of him, his right hand on a joystick.
He looked as though he were playing a video game. But amusement this most certainly was not.
Lawson used to stand between the two back seats of the Humvee, his upper body extending out of the gunner’s turret, exposed to a possible sniper’s bullet or bombs planted in the roads.
But thanks to new military technology, Lawson, who serves with the Georgia National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team, now sits protected inside the armored Humvee operating a .50 caliber machine gun with the help of a computer.
“I like that I am not standing up there,” said Lawson, his eyes glued to the screen for the whole eight-hour ride from southern Iraq to Baghdad.
The U.S. military calls it the CROWS, Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station. It’s mounted on top of a Humvee and controlled from a computerized command center within the truck. The system can handle the heavy .50 caliber, the 7.622mm medium machine gun, a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and the smaller squad automatic weapon.
According to the Army, CROWS was originally developed for military police, but other soldiers in Iraq are now using the system for additional protection.
Those who have used the system say it also helps them hit targets with more accuracy and gives them the ability to scan an area from great distances.
If the system fails, gunners can manually open the turret and take charge of the mounted weapon.
Lawson, who serves in the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment’s Alpha Company from Valdosta, is one of a few Georgia gunners to have used of the new system. Most gunners still stand in the turret. But the Army hopes to have several hundred CROW stations in place by the middle of this year.
The soldiers love it for the obvious safety reasons, but sometimes the system can be a hindrance.
Sgt. Scott Davis said Alpha Company soldiers often need to fire warning shots at suspect Iraqis or vehicles that approach too closely when they are on the highways escorting supply trucks from southern Iraq into the Baghdad area.
Without a gunner up in the turret, warning shots are impossible.
“It’s not good for what we’re doing,” said Sgt. Scott Davis, a firefighter from Savannah. “We can’t fire any warning shots. There’s no gunner up there with an M-16.”
Comments
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By Concerned
February 8, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this
Seems to me that if the equipment won’t let you take a warning shot then that step in the rules of engagement must be skipped in the name of safety. Which means you go directly to the use of the .50 cal. You just gotta’ take the shot. You can’t risk a suicide bomber etc. It just isn’t worth the risk of another lost vehicle and more soldiers injured or killed.
By More Concern
February 8, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
Always a write off when new weapons appear. Included in the software developed to control the weapons there should be instructions that will allow the 50 cal in the turret to be fired at will at close range also. A computer is a great tool but will only perform the instructions written by humans. Firing the .50 cal at close range without exposing the gunner in the turret should have been part of the specifications. That is if it is physically possible. It takes the front line soldier’s input to get the requirements complete. They know from experience not thought what is needed. However, I am glad to see the gunners have a safety net now. Stay safe fellows. God bless all our troops and allied troops and bring them all home safely.
Thanks to our Armed Forces for the dangerous work they do.
By kATHLEEN wHATLEY
February 8, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
AN EXCELLENT STORY WHICH MADE ME FEEL LIKE I BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THE BOYS OVER IN IRAQ FEEL ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I PRAY FOR THEM AND APPRECIATE THEIR SACRIFICE. THANKS TO THE REPORTER WHO TOOK THE RISK OF BEING THERE TO GET A TRUE PICTURE TO US. THANKS AGAIN
By Karen
February 9, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
Old xbox software is selling on the cheap now that all the 360 stuff is hitting the shelves!
On a different note, I would like to help my co-worker to see her son. How do I find out if there is a live web cam at Camp Striker? Please help. Thank you! -Karen kdechman@jtcc.edu
By A 48th Wife
February 9, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this
Well its almost over!! We are on the down fall now,they all will be home soon. They only have about 3 more months. Some lucky ones will be home next month for paper work. But most of them will be home in May or around May I cant wait to see then all home. Its been a long year. A very proud wife of a soilder!!!!
By Ken Brooks
February 9, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this
Reading about the CROWS system for the HUMVEE leads me to this observation, we are putting an enclosed machinegun turret on an up-armored vehicle, this would essentially make that an armored car, a vehicle used by the military of nearly every other country except the United States. We spent Billions on a system that was totally inadequate for the job it was assigned and has became a rolling death machine for many soldiers. Now 21 years after its introduction the military is just now fixing a problem they should have realized long ago, that soldiers need more protection. During the early nineties, I conducted armed patrols in the DMZ along the North Korean Border; even then, I recognized the humvee would not stop a spitball thrown our way. Ten years later I was doing combat patrols in Baghdad in a humvee with the only thing between me and an IED was air. Now The taxpayers must spend billions more to fix the first boondoggle. My question to those in authority is who were Generals who approved, fielded, and funded this costly disaster (In both lives and money) and why haven’t they been brought up on charges.
By mother of soldier
February 9, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
This is a question that I hope someone can answer for me. My son has his own laptop with him and is able to have wireless where he is at. But, He is not able to get on line but once or twice a week, cause of the duty’s and all that he and his unit is doing. Now, my friend, has a son, who is with a scout unit, and her son is on line all day and night and can even chat in chatroom’s with friends, Alot.. Why is it that some military people can have that much free time and other military people are still working their Butts Off??
By Michelle from Gainesville, Ga
February 10, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this
I am so proud of all our men and women that have been fighting for their country.I have a question for A 48th Wife that comments or anyone else that may know anything about this and you can e-mail me at armyga69@peoplepc.com with the answer so it doesn’t take up space on this blog but does anyone know the exact date our soldiers will be home in May and what welcome home plans will be made to celebrate when they come back to Ft. Stewart? Any info will be great. Once again I am so grateful for this blog it has helped me so much to get threw this last year and I am counting down these last 3 months when I welcome home my soldier and the rest of the 48th from Gainesville!! Thanks.
By Simmons Ennis
February 10, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
By using this new computerized firing capability, this idea is a long over due and great step forward in providing the protection soldiers have been needing for many years, while constantly being exposed to enemy gunfire and unexpected shots in the gunner position of a HumVee. While body armor protects the torso of the human body and the helmet protects the head, nothing protects the neck, face and sides of the head. I hope the military improves this weapon so our troops do not have to brave this dangerous position and further risk their lives or serious injury.
By Soldier Mom
February 10, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
To a Mother of soldier. They are all STILL working their butts off reguardless of where they are. The question would be, what areas are they in, and what do they choose to do in their spare time. Some sleep, some work out, some play sports, and some use the net if they have access to it. The first seven months my son was ‘over there” there was NO internet because the insurgency was heavy and they could not keep a tower up. He had his lap top also, and was never able to use it. I don’t think it is fair to any of the soldiers for you or anyone else to accuse them of not working hard and risking thier lives, because they all have and are. Yes there are safer areas than others and bases with more aminities than others. But they don’t get to choose where they want to be, the choice is made for them. If you have a problem with where your son is and what he is or isn’t able to do, take it up with his General. Don’t make negative statements about soldiers that you know nothing about.
By Over Here Doing the Job
February 10, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
I would like to clarify what some people may not understand about the CROWS. It is a machine on top of the HMMWV that a gun is mounted to. The operator behind the driver has control of the machine and the gun. He looks at the screen because that is what the optical sight is looking at. He moves the weapon and aims it himself. It is NOT computer controlled, it is controlled by the solider using the joystick and watching the screen. The unit that uses warning shots to ward off vehicles is using their SOP. Ours is different. We don’t do warning shots. The mother that wants to see her son on a webcam at Camp Striker, email him and ask! EVERY soldier over here has access to email at some point. Some more than others. Some places do have webcams. Ours does not. And to answer why some soldiers can spend all day and night on the internet while some are busy all day and night? Different jobs have different demands for time. The scouts might be out from 8PM to 4AM, but all the people that work during the day see is that they sleep all day and don’t do much. Trust me, there are very few people over here just sucking oxygen and not doing SOMETHING towards the effort that is in line with their job or supporting the warfighter.
By Larry
February 11, 2006 12:55 AM | Link to this
To a Mother of soldier,, the answer to your concerns about not being able to contact your son may be in the January issue of the Lightning Bolt (see page 6)www.gadod.net/files/news.php
By upset wife
February 11, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this
Its so funny to me how everyone fights back and forth about how one soldier has more free time than other soldiers and/or one soldier can call/email/im a couple times a week and some all day. Has anyone thought that maybe its the soldiers decision on how much time he spends calling/emialing????? I can tell you my husband does call me everyday unless the phones are down and there are guys in his unit that call maybe once or twice a week. WHY? I’m sure there are several differant reasons. Some find it to hard and try to keep their minds busy so they are not thinking of what they are missing out on and the list goes on. My husband goes out everyday and does his duty. Just because spends his free time talking to his wife and kids does not mean he is not working. Everyone is differant and handles things differant. My husband was in the triangle and he still made and effort to call everyday. It may have been for only 15 mins but atleast it was a call. There weas no wireless internet in the triangle but the guys at striker and other camps had wireless and now that the ones in the triangle have it and the other ones went without for awhile everyone wants to point fingers and say they are not working. I’m so sick of everyone attacking everyone. We have like 90 days or less so grow up and get along. We are suppose to be in this together. There is no support here just pointless fights back and forth. Think about it………..
By Pain
February 11, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
Mother of a soldier, I feel your pain, I really do. I know just what you mean unlike the rude comments you received from soldier Mom. Back during the summer when a lot of wives, Moms and Dads were concerned about the unbearably long hours their loved ones were having to work, with no down time and their lack of good hot food , well they were pretty much told to just shut up by others who post here. I can tell you my loved one endured horrible conditions then and things are better now that he’s at a different base so I know that everybody is not doing exactly the same thing or working the same exact amount of hours a day. I’m sorry that things are still bad for your son and hope he stays safe and it gets better for him soon.
By Soldier Mom
February 11, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
“by Pain”, read my comment again. First of all, I didn’t write rude comments to anyone. My “loved one” was more than likely beside yours in the triangle -without toilets, hot food, bathing facilities, internet and what ever else you can think of. I wasn’t on here complaining about his conditions then, and he wasn’t over there complaining about them. My “loved one” is also in a “better place” now and some seem to have a problem with it. My point was, as it read and another person reiterated - They all have free time and all have different ways of taking advantage of it - THEIR CHOICE. One of the few they have over there. Rude? No - FACT. The other point was - they don’t get to choose what they do or where they are. Sorry if it offends you or anyone else. They are ALL WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF - and will continue to until they come home. I will continue praying for all of them and hope they all make a safe trip home - soon.
By just a comment
February 11, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
It really is sad to see how some people will take this blog, just to down other’s who write here. I have many friends with a scout unit and I have many friends with the 121st. Now, I do know that my scout friends are on line ALOT-and in chatroom’s with other of their Friends—ALOT.. So, it does seem that they are in Iraq doing nothing. But I do know that they are doing some mission’s, just not as many as before. Now my friends with the 121st, they are Very busy and can get on line some but they are not on all day and night. They are out doing mission’s or working on their base, etc. So I do understand why some people would think that they may be units in Iraq, doing nothing.. Yes, it is a soldier’s choice, if they want to get on line, call home, or anything- like the gym, eat, etc.. So, can we all just please have respect for each other on this blog and if you can help someone who has asked a question or is concern with something, then Maybe Help them and Not Degrade them…This has been a long battle for everyone…Thank You…….
By A Texas Mother
February 12, 2006 07:06 AM | Link to this
To “upset wife”; Quite frankly, I’m surprised you feel the need to tell everyone your husband “calls every single day”. I can only hope my son doesn’t need to depend on your husband while he’s out making his “daily 15 minute phone call”. I would prefer a soldier who get his mission and takes care of his men first, than one who feels the need to call every single day. I think you tell tall tales.
By upset wife
February 13, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
I do not tell tall tales thank you very much… As for my husband he saved the lives of awhole squad donthink my husband calling home in his free time makes him a bad soldier. When it is time for him to be a soldier his does it 110% and if he has 6hrs to eat,shower and call home well he calls home. Maybe for only 15 mins but he calls home to make sure his wife and children are ok and to let us know he loves us. Thats just the kind of husband and dad he is. BTW Texas Mother there is a soldier who’s wife is in Texas that I know for a fact he talks to everyday. I wonder if that might be you son. Honestly a husband/fathers role is much differant than a sons. ONCE again I will say ITS THE SOLDIERS DECISION on how they spend their free time. If mine takes a 5 min. shower so he can call home for 10 mins thats his decision. Dont jump my man for trying to be the best husband/father he can be. Cause he does his job and then some. PS dont say this is a tall tale cause I have proof of what my husband has done and will gladly show it to you if you need it. Its rude to call someone a lier when you dont have proof.