LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – “The Sound of Freedom.”
That’s how Lawtonians describe the sounds of artillery firing at Fort Sill.
They’ll hear even more of next month as Fort Sill prepares to host the first-of-its-kind “Best Red Leg Competition.”
“Over that weekend is when the predominance of firing will be conducted we’ll shoot between 500 and 600 rounds over that two day period, and most of the shooting will be done during the daylight hours, very few in the evening.”
Command Sgt. Maj Paul Fluharty says the event is 15 years in the making. It will bring in soldiers from 13 units across the country.
“Because there are other impacts from this competition, so the brigades and divisions did their competitions prior to selecting their people before they get out here,” Fluharty said.
While “Red Leg” is not something you hear every day, it dates back to the Civil War era when all artillery soldiers wore red socks.
“That has stuck with us throughout history and today we still refer to all of our artillery men and women as red legs and that’s how we came up with the name ‘Best Red Leg,” Fluharty explained.
Soldiers will compete on the field for three days before moving on to two days of physical fitness. In the end, all of the teams’ points will be tallied and a winner will be declared.
“What I’m looking forward to most is looking in those soldier’s eyes, seeing them complete something they may have doubted themselves that they could complete and just that satisfaction of seeing the teams come together and build that comradery,” Fluharty stated.
Despite the competition being new, Fort Sill isn’t new to these soldiers as Fluharty says every soldier in Field Artillery has been to Fort Sill before.
“So bringing these soldiers back, not only for the competition but for the Lawton community, I think it’s a good thing because we’re exposing our soldiers to the Lawton community and some of the benefits that Lawton has to offer soldiers for consideration for future assignments here,” he said.
Fluharty says they’re already planning for next year where they will focus on rockets and alternate every year after that.
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Source: Units across country compete during “Best Red Leg Competition” at Fort Sill
