SGT Stefan Talabisco, after firing three quick grenades down range for zeroing on Range 7, placed one on top of the turret of an M60 tank at more than 400 meters.

"This is the icing on the cake and now the unit can be happy eating this dessert because they have finally fired their new weapons," 1SGT Gene Bledsoe, 153rd first sergeant said. About 80 military police soldiers, from Delaware City, were a part of the training that took place at Fort Dix and ended yesterday.

The unit arrived at Fort Dix on Sunday night and used some of their training time on post concentrating on combat training basics such as land navigation.

But before arriving at the post, they had participated in a joint military training exercise, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md, called Operation Blue Crab, which also gave them an opportunity to test their skills. "We're also proud to say we won the war of Aberdeen hands-down," Bledsoe said.

But the highlight for the entire annual training for the unit was the opportunity to fire their new weapons systems.

"We've been busy this annual training first we moved personnel to Aberdeen, then turned around and came to Fort Dix," CPT Mark Gaglione, unit commander said. "This training is truly a culmination of annual training."

The unit's new squad automatic weapons replaces their M60 machine guns. The M249 SAW is a lightweight, gas operated, magazine or disintegrating metallic link-belt fed, individually portable machine gun capable of delivering a large volume of fire. It provides accurate fire approaching that of the rifle, according to unit members.

The MK19 Grenade Launcher is a self-powered, air-cooled, belt fed, blowback operated weapon. The weapon too is able to deliver accurate intense fire and decisive firepower against enemy personnel and lightly armored vehicle. In the case of its use for MPs, it gives the soldiers the firepower they need for area security and maneuverability on a battlefield. The MK19 is mounted to unit Highly Mobile Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees).

Unit leadership reported much of the training year focused on preparing soldiers to fire the weapons.

"They have read the manuals for these weapons a long time. They have taken them apart many times, carried them every where, and even slept with them," Bledsoe said.

Unit leadership said soldiers were not be graded on their marksmen ship skills, but all requirements to training on the weapons were used during the course of fire such as zeroing first and then firing on range.