The Gunner
Pfc. Justin Hagarman
Convoy
Baghdad
When it comes to convoy operations, it’s the turret gunner who is arguably the most important person of the truck crew. Sure, the driver keeps pace with other vehicles in the convoy and is the one that can change direction to avoid a threat or get around an obstacle.
The truck commander has his/ her hands full with being in charge of the whole crew and monitoring progress and maintaining communication. But it’s the turret gunner who perhaps has the largest responsibility.
Besides the obvious task of providing overwatch security for their own truck—as well as communicating and working with the gunners from other trucks in the convoy to provide security for the convoy as a whole—the gunner also has a myriad of other tasks ranging from crossing guard and traffic cop to rearview back-up camera.
It’s the gunner who will use hand and arm signals to warn other drivers to stay back, or direct them ahead. It’s usually the gunner who calls out potential areas of concern, since he/ she has the greater overall view. And, it’s the gunner who keeps eyes on what’s behind the truck when the driver is backing up.
And the gunner does all this while standing half in and half out of the vehicle, usually getting jostled around with each jarring bump. And when it rains, it’s the gunner who gets soaked. And baked when the sun is glaring down. (Though often there’s a canopy over the turret for shade.)
When it comes to convoy operations it’s the turret gunner who arguably is the most important person. But they also get the wind whipping past, as if they’re in the world’s goofiest convertible.
