Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) participated in a live-fire gunnery exercise, Dec. 23.

During the weapons familiarization and qualification exercise, Sailors operated the M2 .50-caliber machine gun and the M240B machine gun.

The purpose of the shoot was to train and qualify the newest members of the small craft action team (SCAT), Preble's at-sea and in-port security force.

"Each weapon system is different, so receiving familiarization lessens the likelihood of an accident occurring," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Robert J. Schmidt, a member of SCAT. "Going through the course of fire and receiving that experience ensures that each participant is an asset to the team."

The M240B machine gun shooters for the day were primarily quartermasters and boatswain's mates. M240Bs are mounted on the bridge wing, near where those rates typically stand watch.

"Expeditious response to emergency situations is extremely important, that's why we have to be trained as SCAT members," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Cameron Hood, gun shoot participant and bridge watchstander. "It's been about four months since I last shot. I was excited to shoot, but I had to keep my heart rate low and focus on the target."

Regularly-scheduled weapons familiarization and qualification shoots are held every few months as an ongoing effort to maintain mission readiness and level of knowledge aboard Preble.

Preble is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations with the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sampson (DDG 102). The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) deployment is an example of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in waters around the globe, displaying commitment to stability, regional cooperation and economic prosperity for all nations. Preble departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a regularly scheduled deployment, Oct. 16, to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of operations in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit www.navy.mil/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil,
www.facebook.com/usnavy, or href='http://www.twitter.com/usnavy'>www.twitter.com/usnavy.