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Video by Tony Sweeney

Strong Europe Paladin Test Fire

U.S. Army Europe and Africa

March 23, 2015 | 1:53

In a combined effort by several Department of Defense commands and activities the eight M109A6 Paladin self propelled howitzers of the US Army's European Activity Set (EAS) have recently been refitted with new cannon tubes. The final piece of this refurbishment is to test fire the weapon systems.

Successful conclusion of this test fire confirms that these weapon systems are Fully Mission Capable (FMC) and prepared for employment either in training our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies and Partners or for contingency operations. The European Activity Set is a combined-arms element that began as a battalion-sized group of vehicles and equipment but is being grown into a brigade size element. This equipment is pre-positioned in Europe to outfit U.S. Army Regionally Aligned Forces when they rotate into theatre for training or contingency operations. In addition to these Paladins there are Abrams Main Battle Tanks, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, as well as the standard array of tracked and wheeled support systems.

This test fire is yet another visible demonstration of U.S. commitment to the security of NATO allies. In meeting our global security commitments, the United States must have strong, committed and capable allies, which is why we have fought, exercised and trained with our European allies for the past 70 years. The U.S.-European strategic partnership is built on a foundation of shared values, experiences and interests in a Europe that is stable and prosperous.