An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 5, 2016

Vermont and Massachusetts National Guards conduct live-fire exercise of Picatinny howitzers

By Cassandra Mainiero Picatinny Arsenal Public Affairs

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Working with Picatinny Arsenal, Vermont and Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers fired live rounds with new M777A2 and M119A3 howitzers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix on July 27.

The live-fire exercise marked the conclusion of an 18-day training, in which new equipment training (NET) instructors taught members of both National Guards how to use these howitzers.

All the work associated with delivering the M119A3 howitzers is done at Picatinny, including engineering the weapon's design, modifying the weapon, and managing the fielding events for both weapon platforms. The howitzers are managed by the Program Management Office for Towed Artillery Systems (PM TAS), part of Picatinny's Program Executive Office Ammunition (PEO Ammo).

These upgraded howitzers include a digital fire control system, which pinpoints the howitzer's precise geographical location and where the cannon tube is pointed. This allows Infantry Bridge Combat Teams (IBCTs) to get rounds on target faster and more accurately than prior versions, ultimately helping to save Soldiers' lives by allowing them to complete their mission and get out of harm's way before the enemy can return fire.

As part of Army force structure changes, PM-TAS is facilitating the conversion of active and National Guard Units to composite IBCTs consisting of one battery of six M777A2s and two batteries of six M119A3s each.

Last year Picatinny provided these digitized howitzers to the New Jersey National Guard. Its new battery fired the digitized M777A2 lightweight Howitzer, a 155mm cannon. Meanwhile, the two existing batteries continued to fire the M119, a 105mm cannon, which was upgraded from the M119A2 to the digitized M119A3 as part of the effort.

"It's a significant increase in how fast we can process fire missions and provide field artillery fire for the maneuver units that we support. It also gives us added flexibility when supporting those units," said Capt. John Macuga about the M119A3 Howitzer. Macuga is the battery commander of Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery, which is part of the 86th Brigade Combat Team from the Massachusetts National Guard.

"The Picatinny Team and its fielding team have been outstanding," added Macgua. "Not only were they experts on the equipment, but they were expert NET instructors too. My Soldiers very much appreciated their input, especially because we had only a week or so to learn about it. They taught us everything that is new about this howitzer and helped us make equipment improvements along the way."

At this year's live-fire exercise, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont delegates were invited to attend. The PEO Ammo workforce was also invited to watch the live firing.

"It's rare that I have the opportunity to see our products in person and in action," said Michelle Mollino, cost analyst with PEO Ammo.

"So it was very rewarding seeing them and the people we support. I enjoyed watching them in action and having an opportunity to talk with some of the Soldiers. Truly amazing to watch, and a worthwhile experience."

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...