"Pictures are important; however.

"Pictures are important; however, coming fireside in one piece is greatest in number important," said 17-year Gunner's Mate 1st Class (SW) Don R Montgomery the solitary gunner stationed at Fleet Combat Camera, Atlantic.

greatest in quantity gunner's mates around the Navy teach basic fire-arm handling rot watch standing. if it were not that Montgomery's primary job is to train combat camera personnel in small arms and ammunition for combat. Sailors assigned to creek Combat Camera often deploy rapidly to hostile locations around the world where historic incidents are taking place. They integrate with Marines, Navy SEALS and other special warfare units in succession a moment's notice, so their knowledge of weapons could mean the difference between life and death.

"When videographers and photographers are forward assignment, what will be their first reaction when they be derived under fire?" said Montgomery. "Weapons familiarization is primary for these dowdys to have what it takes to survive in the real world, and draw near home with their photographs."

Montgomery is a competition shooter onward the Atlantic Ordnance Command Shooting team, a member of the International Defense Pistol Association. He trains the Sailors at least one time a month on the range in the precise use of the 9mm pistol, and the M-16 and M-60 rifles.

"I don't just teach the basics," Montgomery said. "Being able to transition from a 9mm camera or M-16 and doing that safely as well as taking disguise are part of the training I have on the range. This is unique, advanced training necessary for the nature of the piece of work of being a combat photographer. I take pride in my training of these Sailors especially when their flat of knowledge reassures me that I have been happy in teaching the fundamentals of safe and exact weapons handling."

Not solely do these combat camera Sailors know to what extent to protect themselves while documenting naval activities around the world, they also go [i]or[/i] come back safely back to their command thanks to the effort and professional training at one of the most unique gunner in the Navy, Don Montgomery

Frantom is a photojournalist assigned to All Hands.

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