Kentucky Guardsmen coach each other for upcoming deployment

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Story and photos by Spc. Matthew Dornbusch, 1204^th Aviation Support Battalion

Kentucky Guardsman Spc. Zach Sullivan, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, coaches fellow Guardsman Spc. Andrew Hoskins at a M249 light machine gun live fire range at Fort Hood, Tx., Sept. 11. (photo by Spc. Matthew Dornbusch, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion)

FORT HOOD, Tx. – Brother helped brother as Kentucky National Guard Soldiers sharpened their combat skills with the M249 light machine gun in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq.

“The M249 coach is important because it’s hard for the riflemen to see where his rounds hit and helps them to keep a good sight picture,” said Spc. Zach Sullivan, 1204^th Aviation Support Battalion M249 gunner.

“Having a coach next to me helped the zeroing process.  My coach also helped me see what I was doing wrong and showed me how to fix it,” said Spc, Andrew Hoskins.

Based in Independence, Ky., the 1204th ASB is currently training at Fort Hood, Tx.  The unit will provide logistical, maintenance and signal support for the 29th combat aviation brigade in support of Operation New Dawn, the U.S. Forces withdrawal from Iraq.