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TTPs for the 60mm mortar section
Infantry Magazine, May-June, 2004 by Jason E. Levy
My unit conducted numerous live fires, training missions, and deployments prior to our airborne assault into Northern Iraq. The one common factor to all of our training was realism. The chain of command stressed the integration of light mortars and held Soldiers and leaders accountable for their employment. Tough, realistic, demanding training was the norm, not the exception. Our unit conducted semiannual rigorous 72-96 hour external evaluations of all mortar sections in our battalion. The evaluations focused on the specific tasks for a 60mm mortar section such as fire direct lay, handheld trigger fires, emergency missions while moving (hip shots), and long dismounted movements over tough terrain in all weather conditions. Each section was tested on fire direction procedures by the 81mm mortar platoon. The test consisted of a plotting board and computer exam. All results were forwarded to the battalion commander for review. My after actions review (AAR) comment is that each brigade should implement and execute a tough, demanding external evaluation program for their 60mm mortar sections. Fire direction certification training should be conducted in conjunction with this training.
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Unit leaders should be involved with their mortar men to ensure that they are proficient in their duties. Involve yourself with the fire direction center (FDC) certification of your sergeants. Send your Soldiers to the Infantry Mortar Leaders Course. It is a great school that will help to increase the combat effectiveness of your unit. Test your llC NCOs on FDC procedures. Ensure that they know their duties.
The increased involvement of unit leader's in the mortar section's certification will help to aid the section's complete integration into company operations.
I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing the plotting board for manual computations of firing data. On Day 2 of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), both of my computers malfunctioned. For the rest of OIF, my squad leader and I used plotting boards as our primary method for calculations. The 81mm mortar platoon loaned us one computer, but it was used only as a backup for our plotting boards. Units need to ensure that their Soldiers are proficient in the use of the plotting board by conducting classes during Sergeants Time and opportunity training.
Expect equipment to break. Do not wait for a catastrophe prior to learning the plotting board. Always keep a plotting board set up with a modified observed firing chart. Use it as a battle-tracking tool for patrols and company operations.
In Iraq, it was often difficult for our section to receive maps. I was able to transfer the map data directly onto my plotting board hence no map was necessary. All mortar men should be trained on fire direction procedures. Each Soldier must know how to compute the firing data for a grid, shift, polar, and registration call for fire. These skills must be tested often to ensure that the Soldiers can compute all of them on the plotting board and M23 Mortar Ballistic Computer. Cross training of all members should be a priority in training. In combat operations, it is realistic that one of more of the section members will become casualties. Train for this reality and take the steps to mitigate the loss of one or more Soldiers by ensuring all Soldiers can do all jobs in the section.
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