Officials from the City of Tumwater and the City of Sumner received a rare treat on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Nov. 15 as the 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, hosted its first Community Day and Fires Demonstration. Officials not only got up close and personal with the artillery gunnery crew and its weaponry, but they also witnessed the Army's satellite simulation ability, as artillery training operations were conducted between the Yakima Training Center (YTC) and JBLM.

"With PC simulation ability, YTC was able to coordinate communications in different locations as if we were in combat," said Maj. Will Freds of 1/377th. "That means three separate crews were able to develop responses - simulate indirect fire (to unseen targets) and fire unilaterally in response here at JBLM. We're pleased to host this community connector event for our city partners to show off who we are and what we can do."

Known as the "King of Battle," many consider the field artillery regiment to be one of the most dominant branches in battle. With 550 male and female Soldiers, the 1/377th is attached to the 17th Fires Brigade and lends close support and the capability to reach quickly and accurately to targets of opportunity.

"We can reach targets some 15 miles away in 23 seconds," said Freds, who has been an artilleryman for 15 years. "And soon, we will be using new training projectiles that are more eco-friendly."

The new M1122 155mm training projectile is a low-cost alternative that has better visual and audible signatures, but without the same blast and fragmentation effects.

"The impact area and environmental effect is reduced by eliminating concrete rounds that doesn't explode," he said. "Because of this, it opens up room to choose targets and offers more flexibility."

Nevertheless, Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet was still impressed with the current M795 artillery projectile demonstration.

"This is such a great opportunity to see what our troops are doing," he said. "To get out and learn about the very Soldiers who are residents in our community is just the beginning of really developing relationships and integrating the military in our communities. What an awesome show of teamwork."

Soldiers of 1/377th recently participated in the parks program and erected a shelter in Tumwater. The brigade has also sent cannons to Sumner's Rhubarb festival and participated in its Armed Forces day. The city also hosted redeployment dinners.

"It's great to be able to visit our troops and see the live demonstrations," said Jerry Johnson, a 20-year Army veteran. The former artilleryman is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (7089) in Tumwater. "This is one way of showing them we care and saying thanks."