Motor Employment Flashcards
Employment Techniques
Employment by platoon (Intact or can be separated)
Employment by section
Employment by Squad
Methods of reconnaissance
Map reconnaissance
Air reconnaissance
Crown reconnaissance
Position selection
Mission accomplishment: most important factor Tactical situation Range Target area coverage Survivability Overhead and mask clearance Surface conditions Communications Routes
Mission accomplishment
The position must permit the mortar section or platoon to accomplish its primary mission.
Tactical situation
The platoon leader must understand the Tactical situation, the supported unit’s Mission, and the location of friendly units, and potential enemy threats.
Range Criteria
Mortars should be able to fire at least 1/2 to 2/3 of their range to the front of the forward elements of the supported friendly Force
Target area coverage
Mortar position “should” give maximum coverage of the Battalion or company Frontage.
Survivability
That position should facilitate both active and passive defense measures…
Overhead and mask clearance
Overhead interference is normally caused by trees or buildings.
Mask interference is in front of the mortar and could be a hill.
Surface conditions
Mortar position must be well drained and firm so that the mortar baseplates do not sink.
Communications
The mortar platoon must be able to communicate with the supported unit and mortar squads must be able to communicate with the FDC.
Routes
Mortar position should be close to access routes to speed the resupply and displacement.
Occupation
The advance party starts the occupation of a new firing position and works continuously until the main body arrives.
Types of occupation
A deliberate occupation
Hasty occupation
Emergency occupation
Deliberate occupation
Has been planned and has an advanced party preceded the platoon to conduct extensive preparation of the new position.
Hasty occupation
Also planned, it differs from the deliberate occupation mainly in the amount of time available for Preparation by the advance party.
Emergency occupation
Results when a call for fires receive while platoon is making a tactical movement. Also known as hip-shot
Displacement timing
The Battalion or company Commander controls the displacement of the mortar platoon in one of two ways. Battalion Commander himself orders the platoon to displace or directs the operations officer or fso to relay the order.
Displacement techniques
Displacement by platoon
Displacement by sections
Displacement by squads or section
Mortar section and platoon firing formations
Parallel formation Lazy W formation Diamond formation Triangle formation 6 mortar star formation
