Qualification on the M240B light machine gun and M2HB .50 caliber machine gun became more attainable for the crew-served weapons teams from Coastal Riverine Squadron (CORIVRON) 8 and Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, through a new weapons training simulator installed in September.

The simulator will be made available to other commands at NAVSTA Newport that have a training requirement to meet weapons qualifications outlined in OPNAV 3591.1F, Small Arms Training and Qualification.

"This simulator will help our crew-served weapons teams sustain their qualification," said Lt. Daniel Denton, CORIVRON 8 assistant operations officer. "Since we don't have a crew-served weapons range for qualification firing, the simulator allows us to build the proficiency of our watchstanders so that when we go to live-firing qualification, we have maximized the use of our training time."

According to Denton, actual live-qualification firing is conducted at sea or at an ashore range such as at Fort Dix, New Jersey for CORIVRON 8 company-level units.

CORIVRON 8 anti-terrorism/force protection mission includes harbor and homeland defense, coastal surveillance and special missions, and conducts force protection of strategic shipping and naval vessels operating in the inshore and coastal areas, anchorages and harbors, bare beaches and sophisticated port facilities.

Nate Sweeney of Conflict Kinetics (CK) is the on-site systems software technician and weapons instructor who conducted a train-the-trainer class on the M240B, Oct. 7, at the pier facility for 10 active-duty members of CORIVRON 8. CK was contracted by Navy Expeditionary Combat Command to provide the simulator for sustainment and weapons familiarization training.

"This train-the-trainer class familiarizes them with the software system capabilities," said Sweeney.

The simulator consists of a 180-degree, panoramic synthetic screen on which system software through five projectors simulate bullseye-type targets, moving and stationary; as well as land, ports with sea state, and desert environments. The software also simulates use of tracer rounds when firing at targets in reduced light.

"The system is very flexible and is limited only by your imagination," said Sweeney. "We can create a target environment that is faster than in real life."

Petty Officer 2nd Class Terrence Jones, a unit administrator, attended the training.

"I learned about trigger and breathe control," said Jones.

Other CORIVRON 8 personnel said there were benefits from the training.

"It's very realistic training and helpful," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Enqing Li, a boat mechanic. "You learn about the response from the weapon and getting a better understanding of how the weapon works."

CORIVRON 8 unit personnel are authorized approximately 200 live rounds per individual, per year for qualification. Many more simulator rounds are made available during sustainment training.

"Here there is no limit to the number of simulator rounds for each shooter," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Kinney, leading petty officer, training.

CORIVRON 8 expects to schedule 6-10 unit personnel in the simulator during weekend training assemblies for sustainment and familiarization training.

"It's a good refresher to help you work on your skills of weapons operation for the destruction and disabling of targets," said Petty Officer 1st Class Thoran Evans, a pay and records administrator. "It's good training for qualification."

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