Story by Pfc. Brett Hornback, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs
Detachment
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Army National Guard and the
Virginia Marine Corps Reserve joined forces Jan. 11-12.
Gunnery Sgt. Gilbert Stubb, a trainer with the Marine Corps Reserve, provides Soldiers from the 63rd Theatre Aviation Brigade with instructions on the M2 .50 caliber machine gun during their crew serve weapon class at Boone National Guard Center, Jan. 11-12, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard by Staff Sgt. Andrew Dickson)
Soldiers with Kentucky Army National Guard’s 63rd Theater
Aviation Brigade participated in a crew serve weapon class instructed by
Virginia Marine Reservists.
Gunnery Sgts. Matt Logan and Gilbert Stubbs, trainers
with the Marine Corps Reserve Training Unit in Quantico, Va., led the class.
Stubbs, who primarily trains Marines, said he was excited
for the opportunity but unsure of what he should expect.
The first day of training, Logan and Stubbs instructed
Soldiers on how to disassemble and reassemble the M249, M2 50. Cal, 240B, and
MK19 weapon systems. They also taught the Soldiers skills they will need to be
combat ready with crew serve weapons in theater.
The following training day, Soldiers with only 8 hours
training on the weapons began to instruct other Soldiers who were new to the
class.
“As far as progress goes, it couldn’t have been better,”
said Stubbs.
With the help of the Virginia Marine Corps Reserve, 63rd TAB
now has instructors, who are competent in crew serve weapons, within its ranks.
“Joint operations is where it’s all at moving forward,”
said Stubbs. “We’re stronger together.”