Fort Carson gives inside look at live artillery training

For the neighborhoods that surround Fort Carson, it will come as no surprise that soldiers have a few more weeks of artillery training at all hours of the day.

KRDO is getting an inside look at how the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team is training for war.

The team sets up at a shooting-range on the far south end of the installation before loading their ammo and shooting.

Battalion Commander Jason Atkinson says, “We take the most recent trends and threats from around the world and build them into the actual scenario we fight.”

Every move and every piece of communication has one purpose: simulating combat.

“If we are to be deployed into harm’s way then we’re prepared and proficient in our tasks,” Atkinson explains.

Their artillery practice can be heard for miles, but it comes with the job.

Atkinson says they’re aware of the noise but say it’s necessary to prepare for war.

“We understand how disruptive shooting artillery at all hours of the day and night can be, so we truly wouldn’t do it if we didn’t feel it was necessary for us to be successful,” he says.

In their minds, it’s only a matter of time before their practice becomes a reality.

“This formation recently redeployed to Afghanistan back in February of this year,” Atkinson says. “We’re very keen and aware of the sacrifices of all those that serve.”

The live-fire artillery training is expected to continue until August 18th.