Indian and American “Red Legs” Connect at Camp Roberts

by Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma
40^th Infantry Division Public Affairs

June 29, 2020

CAMP ROBERTS, Calif.-- An exclusive exchange between two different nations is always special especially when it brings together Soldiers who have never met before but in an instant, they form a special connection due to a common bond.

This is exactly what happened when Brigadier Anoop Shinghal, Defense Attaché with the Embassy of India, who also happens to be a field artillery officer, paid a visit to the California National Guard’s Charlie Battery, 1-143^rd Field Artillery Battalion, on June 22, 2021.

The visit took place during the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) at Camp Roberts. While Shingal observed many elements of the training, the highlight of his visit was when he stopped by to see his fellow “Red Legs” operate Charlie Battery’s 155 Howitzer cannons. (Field artillery Soldiers often refer to themselves as “red legs” due to the historical significance referring to the red stripes on their uniform pants, since red was established as the branch color).

“This is a good opportunity for me to see this system,” said Shinghal.  “It allows me to see the kind of professionalism here and the way these Soldiers operate is fantastic.”

For section chief, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marco Pliego, it was quite a nerve-wracking event briefing such a high ranking officer from India.

“It was a little intimidating but we have the same background in artillery so after the first few minutes, I felt a bit more confident,” said Pliego.  Pliego took the time to show Shinghal what he does as section chief, explaining how to operate the massive Howitzer.

“Seeing the kind of drills, the types of processes that they have; it gives us a lot of confidence that both Armies can work together and bring the fire power to the enemy,” said Shinghal.

To make the attaché’s visit even more special, Charlie Battery Soldiers presented Shinghal an expended artillery brass shell as a gift to memorialize his visit. U.S. Army Spc. Nathaniel Torres had the honor of making the presentation.

“I wasn’t expecting to do anything like this,” said Torres.  “This was something big, pretty happy about it and pretty proud of it as well,” he said.

“It’s good to see my Soldiers are able to have this time with the general and to see him support us,” said Charlie Battery Commander U.S. Army Capt. Tommy Gorman.

The XCTC was one of the main training events for the 1-143^rd, and its higher headquarters, the 79^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 40^th Infantry Division. Brigadier Shinghal is on a three-year tour to the U.S. and is currently based in Washington, D.C.  His visit was specifically to gain a better understanding on what the Cal Guard could provide to help broaden the existing partnership between the U.S. and India.

“It’s been great,” said Shinghal who visited other Cal Guard units like the 40^th Infantry Division in Los Alamitos, 144^th Fighter Wing in Fresno, and the 129^th Rescue Wing in Mountain View.    “There’s so much to learn, and to observe the professionalism at the training facilities and at the aviation assets.  It’s fantastic and gives us many lessons to take home and incorporate into our processes also.”