Photo By Staff Sgt. Victoria Duran | Pfc. Joel Quilesalvarado, a squad leader with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company,...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina –Marines with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, conducted an 81mm mortar live-fire range at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 14. The Marines conducted multiple fire missions in rapid succession throughout their day of training in order to refine their weapons system proficiency and to assess the skill level of new Marines.
“We’re out here today to get used to each other,” said Pfc. Marcus Thorn, a squad leader with the unit. “If you start off with new teammates, you’re not going to work as efficiently because you don’t know each other yet. The more you work together, the more you’re going to get used to each other, making maneuvers flow a lot better.”
Before the Marines started the live-fire, they adjusted the sights on their weapons for that particular landscape and ensured all teams were operating in unison.
“Every time you get to a new location, you have to make sure the cannon is registered to that location, to do so, the Gunner zero’s the cannon like you would zero a rifle on the range,” Thorn said.
From just behind the firing line a voice calls out “Fire mission! Marines, get to your guns!” The teams of mortarmen surge forward to take up their positions, repeating each command called out by Fire Direction Center.
A mortarmen team is made up of four Marines. The gunner utilizes the sight to zero in on the target coordinates referred to as “data.” The assistant gunner inserts the rounds into the mortar tube, alerting the Fire Direction Center that he is at the ready by bellowing “Hanging on gun four!” given their respective weapon number in the firing line. The ammunition man prepares the rounds and hands them to the assistant gunner. The squad leader gives direction to the other team members to ensure safety and mission accomplishment.
Lance Cpl. Thomas Cornelius Grady III, a field radio operator for the Fire Direction Center with 81mm Mortar Platoon, said “live fire training provides hands on experience and improves speed and accuracy.”
The firing line bustled with action as squad leaders rush out orders, competing with the other teams to be first to fire.
“The first time you fire the weapon, it’s motivating because you feel the percussion in your chest and the smell of burnt gun powder,” recalled Thorn.
Mortar units are sometimes referred to as the “infantry’s artillery” because it’s the largest indirect fire asset that is part of an infantry battalion. The 81mm Mortar Platoon can have a gun line set up under eight minutes, said Thorn.
“A mortar platoon is essential to an infantry battalion because it is the Battalion Commander’s bid to success,” said 1st Lt. Mason Graham, Weapons Company Executive Officer. “We provide the most fire support in order to allow the movement element to secure the objective.”
The Marines finished out the training exercise with a six mile hike out of the field.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2016 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 204251 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 272 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, 3/6 conducts live mortar range, by SSgt Victoria Duran, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
