thedrifter
06-25-07, 09:22 AM
The commander's 'hip-pocket artillery' provides an important role to the Marines and Sailors of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The MEB’s 81mm mortars platoon from Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment have been fulfilling their role here throughout Exercise Talisman Saber 2007.
Throughout the exercise, the mortars played a strategic role in providing indirect fire on enemy positions forcing armored vehicles to 'button up', break up enemy troop concentrations, reduce the enemy's mobility, and canalize his assault forces into engagement areas.
"The primary mission of the 81mm mortars platoon is to give close continuous fire support in both offensive and defensive combat operations," said Gunnery Sgt. William Fulghum, the 81mm mortar platoon sergeant. “This includes neutralizing enemy infantry, crew-served weapons, and interdicting the enemy's movement of men, vehicles and supplies."
"The mortars sections are a very important part of the battalion," added Fulghum, a Dallas native. "Without the mortars, the battalion has nothing for fire support."
Mortars play an integral part in battle as they help to establish the conditions for maneuver, suppress the enemy, fix the enemy in place and provide close supporting fires for the assault, according to Lance Cpl. Sean Ryan, a mortar man with the platoon.
Of the 48-man mortar platoon, the element was split into two sections where one section was always ready to provide the line companies with timely fire support.
"As the elements push forward, we track with them for fire support, because our chief job is to set up positions to cover their advances should they reach enemy forces that will hinder their progress," Ryan said.
Shoalwater’s wide-open terrain provided an ideal place for the platoon to conduct the exercise where they trekked more than 40km.
“We've been extremely mobile throughout this exercise, which as also added to the level of difficulty to the training,” explained Ryan, an Austin, Texas native. "The mortar's aiming process takes time to ensure accuracy."
For each fire mission there are a series of designated commands within a 90-second timeframe. Within that time, all pieces of the mortar are assembled, from the barrel being locked to the base-plate and the bipod legs being fully extended, to a proper sight picture being established.
From there, small and large deflection changes are made, Ryan continued. Not a simple task as the measurements being used are millimeters, and fine-tune adjustments could mean the difference between life and death to the Marines on the front-line.
"Here we actually get to practice how we play with the exception of firing live rounds, nonetheless, this exercise is no walk in the park," he added.
The bay’s wet and cold climate gave the Marines and Sailors a chance to get accustomed to the environment they could find themselves operating in.
“The weather has been a major contribution to the difficulty of our training, especially when moving from position to position,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Velarde, a section leader with the platoon. “We get vehicles stuck in the mud every time.”
Ultimately, the training served to enhance skills and confidence among the Marines.
“Other than the weather, we really can't complain,” said Velarde, a native of Baldwin Park, Calif. “This is a great training environment for us."
"I like being out here with the guys and getting some good training in the land down under," added Cpl. Joshua Chapman, a squad leader with the platoon, and a Houston, Texas native.
Despite the exercise’s foul weather and varying challenges, each member worked as a team to ensure continuity and precision of their skills.
"Our Marines know what to do and are well trained," said Fulghum. "They’ve been showing their proficiency throughout this exercise. Being able to work with all of the BLT has also been great. It’s good to work together as one big fighting force to accomplish the mission."
The MEB’s 81mm mortars platoon from Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment have been fulfilling their role here throughout Exercise Talisman Saber 2007.
Throughout the exercise, the mortars played a strategic role in providing indirect fire on enemy positions forcing armored vehicles to 'button up', break up enemy troop concentrations, reduce the enemy's mobility, and canalize his assault forces into engagement areas.
"The primary mission of the 81mm mortars platoon is to give close continuous fire support in both offensive and defensive combat operations," said Gunnery Sgt. William Fulghum, the 81mm mortar platoon sergeant. “This includes neutralizing enemy infantry, crew-served weapons, and interdicting the enemy's movement of men, vehicles and supplies."
"The mortars sections are a very important part of the battalion," added Fulghum, a Dallas native. "Without the mortars, the battalion has nothing for fire support."
Mortars play an integral part in battle as they help to establish the conditions for maneuver, suppress the enemy, fix the enemy in place and provide close supporting fires for the assault, according to Lance Cpl. Sean Ryan, a mortar man with the platoon.
Of the 48-man mortar platoon, the element was split into two sections where one section was always ready to provide the line companies with timely fire support.
"As the elements push forward, we track with them for fire support, because our chief job is to set up positions to cover their advances should they reach enemy forces that will hinder their progress," Ryan said.
Shoalwater’s wide-open terrain provided an ideal place for the platoon to conduct the exercise where they trekked more than 40km.
“We've been extremely mobile throughout this exercise, which as also added to the level of difficulty to the training,” explained Ryan, an Austin, Texas native. "The mortar's aiming process takes time to ensure accuracy."
For each fire mission there are a series of designated commands within a 90-second timeframe. Within that time, all pieces of the mortar are assembled, from the barrel being locked to the base-plate and the bipod legs being fully extended, to a proper sight picture being established.
From there, small and large deflection changes are made, Ryan continued. Not a simple task as the measurements being used are millimeters, and fine-tune adjustments could mean the difference between life and death to the Marines on the front-line.
"Here we actually get to practice how we play with the exception of firing live rounds, nonetheless, this exercise is no walk in the park," he added.
The bay’s wet and cold climate gave the Marines and Sailors a chance to get accustomed to the environment they could find themselves operating in.
“The weather has been a major contribution to the difficulty of our training, especially when moving from position to position,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Velarde, a section leader with the platoon. “We get vehicles stuck in the mud every time.”
Ultimately, the training served to enhance skills and confidence among the Marines.
“Other than the weather, we really can't complain,” said Velarde, a native of Baldwin Park, Calif. “This is a great training environment for us."
"I like being out here with the guys and getting some good training in the land down under," added Cpl. Joshua Chapman, a squad leader with the platoon, and a Houston, Texas native.
Despite the exercise’s foul weather and varying challenges, each member worked as a team to ensure continuity and precision of their skills.
"Our Marines know what to do and are well trained," said Fulghum. "They’ve been showing their proficiency throughout this exercise. Being able to work with all of the BLT has also been great. It’s good to work together as one big fighting force to accomplish the mission."