Employment Flashcards
Employment by platoon
When the platoon operates from 1 or 2 firing positions and fires all mortars on each target under the control of the platoon leader
Employment by section
Section employment places each section as a separate firing unit. Depending on the type of mortar platoon, a section May consist of 2 or 3 mortars. Each section acts semi independently and covers its own targets or sectors
Employment by squad
This usually supports special requirements such as security force operations, one mortar a lumination missions, roving mortar adjustment technique, and armor ambush or other combat patrol, withdraws not under enemy pressure.
What does the acronym R So P stand for
Reconnaissance, selection, and occupation of mortar positions
What are the 3 methods of reconnaissance
Map reconnaissance, air reconnaissance, and ground reconnaissance
What is map reconnaissance
Any reconnaissance begins with map inspection. This method is fast and allows unsuitable routes to be eliminated and also identifies possible ambush sites
What are the 2 major disadvantages to conducting only a map inspection
Terrain and other features may have Changed andThe surface conditions of the route in position cannot be determined
But are the 9 guidelines for position selection
Mission accomplishment Tactical situation Range criteria Target area Coverage Survivability Overhead and mask clearance Communications Surface conditions Routes
What are the 2 most important guidelines of position selection
Mission accomplishment and range criteria
What are the 3 types of occupation
Deliberate, hasty, emergency
What are the 6 factors of the survivability guideline
- Cannot be hit by direct or low angle fire
- Can be entered without enemy observation
- Offers good cover and concealment
- Avoids obvious avenues are approach from the FEB a
- Has more than one entrance and exit route
- Takes advantage of existing train features and natural obstacles
What is overhead clearance
Overhead interference is normally caused by trees and buildings
Mask interference
Mask interference is to the front of the mortar and could be a Hill comment building, or tree.
What is deliberate occupation
Deliberate occupation is one that has been planned and has advanced party proceed the platoon to conduct extensive prep of the new position
Hasty occupation
Hasty occupation is also planned, it differs from deliberate occupation mainly in the amount of time available for preparation by the advance party
Emergency occupation
Emergency occupation results when a call for fires received while the platoon is making tactical movement.
It requires the mortar platoon or sections occupy the 1st available location without any prior site preparation. Also called a hipshot mission
What are the 2 types of displacement timing
The battalion or company commander controls the displacement of the mortar platoon in 1 of 2 ways
He can direct the more people tend to displace only on order.
Or come at an event orientated displacement plan is established based on a time schedule, planned phases of an operation, the crossing of designated phase lines come out or the receipt of code words signifying some event
Also called predetermined displacement plan
What is the 3 displacement techniques
Displacement by platoon, displacement by sections, and displacement by squads or sections
What is displacement By platoon
It’s used when there Is little immediate likelihood of enemy contact or when artillery can provide adequate support
What is displacement by sections
List technique requires one section to remain in position while the other section Moves.
What is displacement by squads or section
This technique is similar to displacement by sections except less mortars are involved.
What are the mortar section in platoon firing formations
Parallel formation, lazy W formation, diamond formation, triangle formation, and 6 mortars star formation
What is the distance between mortar positions in a parallel formation
The bursting diameter of HE ammunition for the particular mortar employed
What is the bursting radius for A60MM mortar, 81MM mortar, and A120MM mortar
30 m, 40 m, 75 m
