7th MSC Soldiers zero in on new weapon systems

Soldiers of the 7th Mission Support Command joined a regional effort to maximize readiness though distribution of new weapons systems July 27 at the Kaiserslautern Army Depot.

More than 600 MSC troops received new rifles as part of an upgrade effort encompassing organizations from Wiesbaden to northern Bavaria to northern Italy. Smaller numbers received new machine guns and grenade launchers.

(Tank Automotive and Armaments Command) Life Cycle Management Command, based at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, delivered the weapons to Soldiers serving in area units during a distribution that spanned about a week. Subsequent distributions will deliver new and upgraded weapons systems to 21st Theater Sustainment Command organizations including the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 18th Military Police Brigade, 30th Medical Brigade and partner organizations such as the 405th Army Field Support Brigade. But according to leaders who supervised the distribution, the concept has implications far beyond Kaiserslautern and even the TSC, extending across the U.S. Army Europe area of responsibility.

“It’s going to modernize the weaponry for the Soldiers in the footprint of USAREUR,” said James Thurman, KAD security warehouse manager.

Most of the 7th MSC Soldiers received upgraded individual rifles, but the regional initiative includes upgrades to machine gun systems and grenade launchers. Cumulatively, the initiative will deliver more than 20,000 individual weapons and over 750 crew-served systems across the region.

Senior TSC leaders described the weapons upgrade as important to readiness across the command. Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble, 21st TSC commanding general, personally observed a portion of the weapons distribution at the KAD.

“With the shipment of these modernized weapons to our warehouse, our ability to maintain readiness is strengthened,” Gamble said.