thedrifter
06-15-04, 06:15 AM
Recon trains forward observers to destroy enemy front
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200461521730
Story by Cpl. Ryan Walker
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan —(May 26, 2004) -- Using slide projectors to display a simulated enemy front in an attack position, Marines of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, conducted artillery support, close air support and naval gunfire training here May 25-27.
Peering through binoculars to observe the projected map, the Marines used protractors and plotted grid coordinates to call for fire at the Training Set Fire Observation School, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
“The system displays target silhouettes on a projector screen, on which they locate their targets by terrain association,” TSFO systems technician Curt W. Schiller said. “This system allows Marines to communicate the information to a simulated support unit and call in artillery fire to the intended target.”
Artillery fire is used for protection, according to platoon commander 1st Lt. Samuel M. Newberger.
If my Marines were to ever run into the enemy, this would be a way for them to disrupt and break enemy contact by supporting fire, he said.
The Marines developed a three-pronged attack to call in the big guns by honing the grid, polar and shift methods to call for fire.
The grid method requires the observer to use a map to locate the intended target and relay a numerical grid coordinate to the unit providing supporting fire. In the polar method, the observer determines the direction and distance of the enemy from his position.
The most complicated is the shift method because the observer must have a prerecorded point near the target to determine distance and range corrections from the known point, Schiller explained.
“Most of us have seen this before, but it’s one of those things we need to refresh. The more we practice the easier it is when we need to do it,” Newberger said.
My Marines think the grid method is the easiest, because they use the same system to plot grid coordinates in land navigation, Newberger said.
Once the enemy position was plotted, the Marines reported the observer identification, warning order, location of target, description of target, method of engagement and method of fire and control to the unit providing the fire support.
“The artillery battery takes this information and fires down range,” Newberger said.
Slide projectors simulated fire, smoke and enemy movement and, along with a sophisticated sound system, the equipment created a realistic training environment.
“Artillery fire can’t be done on Okinawa,” Schiller said. “However, this saves the Marine Corps money, because (it doesn’t) have to use live ammunition, and it’s also much safer.”
A basic understanding of land navigation, range estimation and communication procedures make calling for fire a fairly easy skill to develop, according to Cpl. David Y. Kim, a reconnaissanceman who went through the course.
“This training is important because it can get Marines out of trouble, or it could be part of their mission,” Kim said.
Calling for fire is an important skill for Recon Marines to have at their disposal because it gives them the capability of heavy firepower at a moment’s notice. It’s a good collateral skill for any Marine, Schiller said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200461521953/$file/Release0279-2004-02low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Reconnaissanceman Cpl. David Y. Kim uses a protractor and map to plot grid coordinates of a simulated enemy position during call for fire training here at the Training Set Fire Observation School, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, May 25-27. Kim is with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7DD9FBF50077B58E85256EB400228FBA?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200461521730
Story by Cpl. Ryan Walker
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan —(May 26, 2004) -- Using slide projectors to display a simulated enemy front in an attack position, Marines of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, conducted artillery support, close air support and naval gunfire training here May 25-27.
Peering through binoculars to observe the projected map, the Marines used protractors and plotted grid coordinates to call for fire at the Training Set Fire Observation School, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
“The system displays target silhouettes on a projector screen, on which they locate their targets by terrain association,” TSFO systems technician Curt W. Schiller said. “This system allows Marines to communicate the information to a simulated support unit and call in artillery fire to the intended target.”
Artillery fire is used for protection, according to platoon commander 1st Lt. Samuel M. Newberger.
If my Marines were to ever run into the enemy, this would be a way for them to disrupt and break enemy contact by supporting fire, he said.
The Marines developed a three-pronged attack to call in the big guns by honing the grid, polar and shift methods to call for fire.
The grid method requires the observer to use a map to locate the intended target and relay a numerical grid coordinate to the unit providing supporting fire. In the polar method, the observer determines the direction and distance of the enemy from his position.
The most complicated is the shift method because the observer must have a prerecorded point near the target to determine distance and range corrections from the known point, Schiller explained.
“Most of us have seen this before, but it’s one of those things we need to refresh. The more we practice the easier it is when we need to do it,” Newberger said.
My Marines think the grid method is the easiest, because they use the same system to plot grid coordinates in land navigation, Newberger said.
Once the enemy position was plotted, the Marines reported the observer identification, warning order, location of target, description of target, method of engagement and method of fire and control to the unit providing the fire support.
“The artillery battery takes this information and fires down range,” Newberger said.
Slide projectors simulated fire, smoke and enemy movement and, along with a sophisticated sound system, the equipment created a realistic training environment.
“Artillery fire can’t be done on Okinawa,” Schiller said. “However, this saves the Marine Corps money, because (it doesn’t) have to use live ammunition, and it’s also much safer.”
A basic understanding of land navigation, range estimation and communication procedures make calling for fire a fairly easy skill to develop, according to Cpl. David Y. Kim, a reconnaissanceman who went through the course.
“This training is important because it can get Marines out of trouble, or it could be part of their mission,” Kim said.
Calling for fire is an important skill for Recon Marines to have at their disposal because it gives them the capability of heavy firepower at a moment’s notice. It’s a good collateral skill for any Marine, Schiller said.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200461521953/$file/Release0279-2004-02low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Reconnaissanceman Cpl. David Y. Kim uses a protractor and map to plot grid coordinates of a simulated enemy position during call for fire training here at the Training Set Fire Observation School, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, May 25-27. Kim is with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/7DD9FBF50077B58E85256EB400228FBA?opendocument
Ellie