42PS 754 SEP 15 43PS 754

Train, train, train. First ofall, no Soldier should be allowedto touch CROWS unless he’spassed the 40-hour CROWScourse.IfyourunitneedsCROWSinstruction, contact TACOM’sGerritAllen at (973) 724-2243oremail:

gerrit.b.allen.civ@mail.milorJeffreyFischbachat(973)724-9024oremail:jeffrey.s.fischbach.ctr@mail.mil But if a trained Soldier hasn’toperated CROWS in months, heneedsarefreshercoursebeforehejumps in the operator’s seat. ThelocalTACOMLARsorcommandmaintenance training evaluationteams (COMETs) can help withthat.JustoneCROWSmistakecancostaunitbigbucks,sorefreshertrainingiswellworththeeffort.

By the way, there are CROWSquick reference cards available thatmake iteasier toPMCSandoperateCROWS.YourTACOMLARcangetyouthecards. Usethecardsorthe-10TMtodoCROWsPMCS.There’snowayyoucanrememberallthechecks.AgoodPMCStakesatleast45minutes.

Keep a copy of the CROWS TM 9-1090-219-10 in the vehicle.Mostunitsforgetthat.Evenawell-trainedoperatorwillneedtoconsulttheTMoccasionally.

How to Keep CROWS Crowing

CAWCAW

Get PMCS cards

I think you all forgot something.

Where’s my TM?

On the battlefield, CROWS (common

remotely operated weapons station) can do an excellent job protecting gunners and taking out the

enemy.

OK, what’s the first thing you do before you power me up?

whoa, buddy. your CROWS training

was two years ago. you’re gonna need a refresher course!

But your CROWS won’t be doing much crowing if you don’t remember these tips

from Jim Graham, TACOM LAR at

Ft Polk, Louisiana.

Caw caw! Check it out! I’ve got

something to crow about, too!

my guys have been

using these PMCS tips!

754 42-43.indd 1-2 7/28/15 11:25 AM

44PS 754 SEP 15

Release all locks before powering up CROWS.Ifyouforget to unlock the azimuthlock it could break and theonlyfixistoreplacethe$45Kmainframe.Ifyouforgettheelevation lock and the sightservoassembly(SSA)clamp,you’llruintheelevationdriveandSSA,whichcostroughly$24Kand$28K.

Don’t forget to remove the daylight sight, night sight and laser range finder covers. It’s too late whenyou’reunderfire.Ifthecoversarelefton,yourCROWSwillbeblind.

Be careful to select the right weapon when firing small caliber machine guns. IfyougettheM240andM249machinegunsreversed,theCROWSwon’tworkright.

Protect the mounting pins and make sure they’re fully inserted.Ifyouleavethepinsdangling,theycangetcaughtinthemountanddamaged.OnebrokenorbentpincouldmakeCROWSNMC. To fully seat amounting pin, youmust rotate it as you push it in.Once bothmountingpins are seated, tugon them to ensure they’re secure.Then tighten thestrainingscrewforthesoftmount.Butwhenit’stimetoremovethemountingpins,firstloosenthestrainingscrew(exceptfortheMK19).Otherwise,youcan’tremovethepins.

Check all cables for looseness. If just onecable is loose, you’llget faults. Don’t usejustyoureyestocheck.Some Soldiers think iftheycan’t see thecableconnector’s red line,thecableistight.That’snotalways true.Feel tomakesureeachcableishand-tight.

Rotate mounting pins as you push them in

Once mounting pins are secure, tighten straining screw. Before removing mounting pins, you must loosen straining screw

Azimuth and elevation locks and SSA clamp must be locked when CROWS is turned off and must be unlocked before firing

Remember to remove all three covers for operation

Store the thermal imaging module (TIM) cover in the

weapons adaptation kit bag when you’re not using it. Other-wise, count on it disappearing.

hey! you selected an M249 but we’re

firing M240s today!

Remember at shutdown to put the sight covers

back on, lock the azimuth and elevation

locks, and put theSSA clamp back on.

That’s the best

protection you can

give your CROWS.

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