AT SEA -- He slowly squeezes on the trigger as his heart beat steadies. The Marine’s right eye is focused on the target and feels the minor recoil as he fires the M4 assault rifle. Three small bullet holes grouped together lay in the center of the target.
The U.S. Marines and sailors of Africa Partnership Station 13 calibrated their weapons in order to ensure the accurate firing of each rifle using iron sights and optics September 8, 2013.
The process, which only lasted a few hours, allowed the troops of APS-13 to safely attune their rifles aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) landing platform dock (LPD) HNLMS Rotterdam (L800). Groups at a time adjusted their sights with every cluster of shots fired.
The process is called battle-sight zero, or BZO, and one Marine was pleased with the way his troops conducted themselves throughout the engagement.
“The Marines took the firing seriously and they did well,” said Sgt. Dylan Walton of Toledo, Ohio.
The squad leader with APS-13 added that accurate weapons will help them properly train with African forces. Africa Partnership Station was started in 2007 as an international security cooperation initiative, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships.
Today, APS represents a wide spectrum of engagements and the Marines are doing everything in their power, to include conducting a BZO range, to ensure the host nations get the most out of the training.
The range ended with every gun calibrated after firing more than 650 rounds. The primary safety officer, or PSO, was pleased knowing that the range was a success.
“By the end of each string of shooters, every Marine was hitting black,” concluded Pottsville, Pa., native Sgt. Joseph Moyer, referring to the black center mass of each target.
The Marines used this exercise as a way to build confidence in their weapons systems as well. Now, when they pull the trigger, their rounds will accurately hit where their muzzles are pointing.