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TTPs for the 60mm mortar section

Infantry Magazine, May-June, 2004 by Jason E. Levy

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Clearance of fire drills must be practiced during training. In a perfect world, the company commander is the approving authority for company level mortar fires. In the complex atmosphere of Iraq where you have numerous units and operations ongoing, the clearance authority is usually at brigade or higher levels of command. Practice the relaying of clearance of fires with your higher unit. It enables higher command to develop a quick reaction drill and SOP for the timely clearance of fires.

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A requirement was imposed by my unit that all illumination fire requests had to be accompanied by the fail point impact grid in case the round did not properly function. This was done in order to project possible collateral damage. This became an established SOP in the clearance of fires of process. Many leaders are under the false assumption that overhead mortar fires are prohibited. Army Regulation 385-63 states, "overhead mortar or artillery fires are prohibited in training."

This restriction is only for training. Since we train how we fight, there are going to be some that think that the overhead fires limitation is the way we will fight. Overhead fires are allowed in combat operations. The nature of company operations and tactical employment of mortars often produces this effect in combat. My section fired overhead numerous times due to limited firing positions while engaged. Leaders must understand that overhead fires are going to occur and not let the training restrictions influence their planning options when employing indirect fire support.

Foster and develop a strong relationship between the mortar section and the forward observers.

Upon receipt of a company warning order or patrol, insure that the company commander gives the mortar section a clear task and purpose for fires. This will aid the mortar section and forward observers to develop a company fires plan based on the commander's guidance and intent. Detailed planning between the commander and mortar section must occur in order to maximize the use of indirect fires. The mortar section sergeant is the main advisor to the commander and fire support team (FIST) chief on the tactical employment of the section.

He recommends employment methods and positions the section to best support the scheme of maneuver. During long deployments, complacency is bound to occur. This trend is to not conduct hands on crew drill. Success in battle depends on the ability of Soldiers and units to perform those tasks required in battle to defeat the enemy.

All training must maintain proficiency in individual and collective tasks within a band of excellence. This training must be realistic to ensure that the tasks mastered in training are performed well in battle. As a leader, ensure that the mortar section maintains readiness by conducting and executing crew drills to standard.

By month four in Iraq, our missions and tasks became very tedious and boring. I instituted a strong training program of crew and battle drills in order to maintain proficiency. We would supplement our crew drill with cross training of the platoons in the company. We attempted to train each Soldier on the fundamentals of handheld firing, direct lay firing, loading and firing a mortar, and how to set the charges on ammunition.

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TTPs for the 60mm mortar section

Infantry Magazine, May-June, 2004 by Jason E. Levy

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