thedrifter
04-23-09, 06:28 AM
Shot out! Elements of call for fire
4/23/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meloney R. Moses , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
Serving as the eyes of the artillery battery, they call in target locations and adjustments. Often located more than three miles away, the indirect-fire system is rarely in the line-of-sight of their target.
A request for the fire support from artillery, mortar or naval gunfire is known as “call for fire,” said Sgt. Christopher Bishop, a forward scout observer for Artillery Instructor Battery.
The essential need for this training is so Marines who deploy can call for fire support when they find themselves in a compromising position, explained Bishop.
On a Basic Officers Course call for fire there are approximately 300 lieutenants artillery conducts 150 missions in two days while mortars conduct the other 150 missions.
A gun line is where cannoneers receive mission data from the Fire Direction Center and fire high explosive and white phosphorus ammunition, explained Sgt. Nicholas Corrada, a fire direction controlman. There are four M198 howitzers at the artillery battery here and the high explosives are used on all missions, while the white phosphorus munitions are used to mark targets for close air support.
There are still firing batteries deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq with the sole mission of providing fire support to infantry units and other Marines on the front lines, said Corrada.
“[Call for fire] arms Marines with another means of destroying the enemy,” said Cpl. Adrian Richards, an artillery forward observer.
Basic call for fire is taught in enlisted professional military education schools as well as The Basic School. Anyone in any unit can request artillery support as long as they have accurate target location and knowledge of friendly units within that same battle space, explained Richards.
This is an important skill for all Marines to know when backup is needed, said Bishop. We instruct lieutenants and warrant officers on the basic call for fire. During the training they also get a chance to go to the gun line and the FDC to see how a mission is processed.
The FDC is where the call for fire is sent in three radio transmissions consisting of six elements, translating the observer’s orders into firing solutions for the battery’s cannons.
A grid mission is used when a map and protractor are readily available. Marines call in the grid direction to their targets.
Polar missions are used when a map is not readily available and requires the Marine to use a compass to call in a direction and estimates the range to the target.
The six elements of a call for fire are: warning order, observer identification, target location, target description, method of engagement and method of fire/control.
Although the artillery battery is not within sight of the enemy, the observer is. This Marine is in control of great firepower and must be skilled enough not only in fire direction, but also, if necessary, in direct combat.
Ellie
4/23/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meloney R. Moses , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
Serving as the eyes of the artillery battery, they call in target locations and adjustments. Often located more than three miles away, the indirect-fire system is rarely in the line-of-sight of their target.
A request for the fire support from artillery, mortar or naval gunfire is known as “call for fire,” said Sgt. Christopher Bishop, a forward scout observer for Artillery Instructor Battery.
The essential need for this training is so Marines who deploy can call for fire support when they find themselves in a compromising position, explained Bishop.
On a Basic Officers Course call for fire there are approximately 300 lieutenants artillery conducts 150 missions in two days while mortars conduct the other 150 missions.
A gun line is where cannoneers receive mission data from the Fire Direction Center and fire high explosive and white phosphorus ammunition, explained Sgt. Nicholas Corrada, a fire direction controlman. There are four M198 howitzers at the artillery battery here and the high explosives are used on all missions, while the white phosphorus munitions are used to mark targets for close air support.
There are still firing batteries deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq with the sole mission of providing fire support to infantry units and other Marines on the front lines, said Corrada.
“[Call for fire] arms Marines with another means of destroying the enemy,” said Cpl. Adrian Richards, an artillery forward observer.
Basic call for fire is taught in enlisted professional military education schools as well as The Basic School. Anyone in any unit can request artillery support as long as they have accurate target location and knowledge of friendly units within that same battle space, explained Richards.
This is an important skill for all Marines to know when backup is needed, said Bishop. We instruct lieutenants and warrant officers on the basic call for fire. During the training they also get a chance to go to the gun line and the FDC to see how a mission is processed.
The FDC is where the call for fire is sent in three radio transmissions consisting of six elements, translating the observer’s orders into firing solutions for the battery’s cannons.
A grid mission is used when a map and protractor are readily available. Marines call in the grid direction to their targets.
Polar missions are used when a map is not readily available and requires the Marine to use a compass to call in a direction and estimates the range to the target.
The six elements of a call for fire are: warning order, observer identification, target location, target description, method of engagement and method of fire/control.
Although the artillery battery is not within sight of the enemy, the observer is. This Marine is in control of great firepower and must be skilled enough not only in fire direction, but also, if necessary, in direct combat.
Ellie