By U.S. Army Sgt. Frank Magni
17th Public Affairs Detachment

AFGHANISTAN, Oct. 29, 2004 — Nearly everywhere one goes in Afghanistan, someone is seen carrying a weapon. The constant presence of weapons, ranging from sidearms to crew-served weapons, makes weapons safety paramount to all in Operation Enduring Freedom.

For those operating in more tactical areas, where weapons remain locked and loaded for extended periods, the diligence and experience of coalition members and their leadership remains key in avoiding accidental discharges.

On Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, weapons safety has developed into somewhat of a culture for the "Wolfhounds" of the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, according to the battalion's Command Sgt. Maj. David Yates.

"The key to our success has been the accountability of team and squad leaders in ensuring the safety goes on all the time," Yates said. "Weapons safety is constantly preached and always in the back of the mind of each soldier."

As a part of the weapons safety culture in the unit, training and drills are something the unit conducts whenever possible, especially after becoming aware of an unsafe act.

"No matter where we are, or what we are doing, we will instantaneously begin remedial training after observing an unsafe act," said Yates.

While weapons vary from pistols and rifles to crew-served machine guns and grenade launchers, safety procedures don't vary too much, according to Staff Sgt. Jay Webb, an anti-tank platoon squad leader assigned to the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

As a leader in a unit that has a high number of crew-served, heavy weapons, Webb said one key to his unit's flawless safety record has simply been experience gained through regular range training.

"The key to our weapons safety is practice, practice, practice," said Webb.

But Webb's platoon uses the range as more than a place to practice accuracy and target acquisition. Those elements are sometimes even secondary. At the range, his platoon focuses on familiarization drills and rehearsals.

"We practice all our loading and unloading procedures as well as locking and clearing and correcting malfunctions," said Webb. "The range is one of the safest environments because the weapons are pointed down range.

"We will conduct all our drills until they are down cold," he said.

Ranges in Afghanistan have also evolved into a place for more realistic rehearsals to prepare for enemy contact.

"Rehearsals are very important, because what the soldiers do with their weapons will become instinctive at the right times," said Webb.

By always focusing on what they will do when they face possible enemy contact while on a mission, weapons safety becomes a team approach.

For the Wolfhounds, missions in Paktika province have lasted as long as two weeks. During these missions, soldiers must remain ready to use their weapon at any time, which creates an atmosphere for possible weapon accidents.

To combat these inherit dangers caused by having weapons in firing condition, each unit develops procedures when they encounter different situations.

Just as Coalition members follow procedures when entering larger bases like Bagram Air Base and Kandahar Airfield, the tactical units use procedures when entering smaller, less populated firebases, and even when entering villages.

"Our gunners always know where to point their muzzles, when to lock and clear, and when to stay ready," said Sgt. Michael Spurlock, an anti-tank platoon team leader.

"Leaders are also always there every step of the way to make sure these standards are enforced," Spurlock said.

It is not an option for leaders to be absent when a crew-served weapon is locked and cleared. As a result, the unit has had no accidental discharges, said Spurlock.

As a continuation of the weapons safety culture for the Wolfhounds, leaders are always reminding soldiers about what purpose their weapons serve.

"I always say, 'There is no room for Hollywood on this ride,' " said Sgt. William Spencer, another anti-tank platoon team leader. "Messing around with weapons can get somebody killed."

Whether it is the team approach, practicing drills or adhering to a strict regimen of procedures, successful weapons safety remains simple.

"There is no real secret," said Webb. "Leaders must stay diligent with their soldiers and must maintain the same intensity and attention to detail every day."