Launching into readiness.

A roar echoes across the desert as a speeding bright light rips through the sky leaving a white smoke trail as it disappears into the rising sun. Seconds later, it reports from the distant horizon with a thunderous boom.

Soldiers of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, certified on the M142 High Mobility Rocket System during a decisive action training environment exercise, last October at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

The HIMARS is a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army medium tactical vehicle truck frame and has been utilized to provide fire support in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The launcher can fire up to 6 rockets at a time or a single missile to effectively engage targets out to 300 kilometers (186 miles).

"This exercise was a great way for the soldiers to get real deployed experience and training that covers many facets of our mission," said Capt. Jamie Holm, commander, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment.

The decisive action training environment enables soldiers to solve tactical problems during a wide range of realworld scenarios applicable to current threats facing the Army.

"The training we implement includes not only the operation of the HIMARS but how to implement it into action with regards to movement, types of fire support, ammunition requirements and preparation, maintenance, and fire coordination," said Holm.

"I like events like these, because they help us stay ready for whenever and wherever we are needed to help protect the force," said Spc. Jose Mendez, a multiple launch rocket system crewmember with 1st Battalion, 94th FAR.

During the exercise the unit certified four HIMARS operator crews and a contingent of forward observers.

"Our mission is to provide general fires support throughout the US Central Command area of operations and events like these certifications ensure we remain more than capable of accomplishing our mission," said Holm.--Sgt. Aaron Ellerman