A new howitzer is in sight for artillerymen from the Oklahoma Army National Guard who had the opportunity to fire their current M119A2 howitzers one last time before they transition to the new M119A3 later this year.

Oklahoma Guard soldiers fire their last 105mm shells with their M119A2 howitzers before receiving their M119A3s later this year (Source: National Guard)

Soldiers assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted a live fire exercise with their M119A2 (nicknamed "Alpha Two") 105mm howitzers during their monthly drill weekend at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, earlier this month. In September 2018, they will transition to a new weapons system, the M119A3 (nicknamed “Alpha Three”).

"The Alpha Three utilizes a specialized electronic system that allows the gun to know exactly where it is with GPS," explained Capt. Cliff Holeman, commander of Bravo Battery. "It's pretty much the same gun, just a different way to aim it that provides a simpler and quicker way to get rounds down range."

The M119A3 will equip the Battalion with the same weapons systems as that of Active Duty artillery battalions, helping supplement the needs of the Army. Both the Alpha two and Alpha three models are towed systems.