thedrifter
03-27-09, 11:24 AM
Massive mortar system combats insurgent cells
Lance Cpl. Monty Burton
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 27, 2009) -- Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are employing the 120mm mortar system to combat insurgents in southern Afghanistan.
The battalion, which serves as the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan, is the only one in the Marine Corps currently using the 120mm mortar system, as opposed to the 81mm mortar system.
Capt. Mike Hoffman, commanding officer for Company I, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines, said the larger mortars give the Marines an increased range to effectively engage and eliminate their targets and illuminate the battlefield during hours of darkness.
The 120mm mortars greatly contributed to establishing and maintaining security when the battalion cleared southern Afghanistan's Route 515, Hoffman explained. The road connects the districts of Delaram to the east and Bakwa to the west.
"The 120mm mortars have been instrumental to our success in Afghanistan," he said. "They provide us certain advantages as opposed to the previous weapon systems. These advantages include increased firing range and illumination. They can also be manned by the same size crew as the smaller 81mm mortar system."
Sgt. Brian Morris, a section leader with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapon Co., 3rd Bn., 8th Marines, said the transition from the 81mm to the 120mm mortars was fairly simple due to the systems' similarities.
Morris added, although the 120mm mortar system lacks mobility compared to the previous system due to its 318-pound weight, it has a maximum effective range of more than seven kilometers. This allows Marines to distribute forces in a larger area of operations while still maintaining security.
"We protect our fellow Marines as they advance on the battlefield and fight the insurgency," Morris said.
Hoffman said the 120mm mortars also give local Afghan villagers a sense of security and faith in the SPMAGTF - Afghanistan.
"The illumination of the battlefield lets the Afghan people know we are watching the area, and insurgent forces will not be able to come into their village at night," Hoffman said.
Morris explained illumination is a vital part of the mortarmen's mission.
"We receive a lot of illumination missions because illuminating the battlefield not only helps our Marines who are patrolling at night, but it also deters insurgents and criminals," he said. "This denies the enemy freedom of movement in the region because they know that we are watching them."
Insurgents use the hours of darkness to plant improvised explosive devices and stage attacks against alliance forces. Insurgents use these tactics with no regard for the well-being of the local civilian population.
Hoffman attributed the system's success rate to his Marines.
"We have an incredible group of Marines here," he said. "They are very efficient and knowledgeable in what they do. They have adapted to the 120mm mortars and they have adapted extremely well."
Approximately 2,000 III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines are currently deployed in support of SPMAGTF - Afghanistan.
Ellie
Lance Cpl. Monty Burton
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan (March 27, 2009) -- Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are employing the 120mm mortar system to combat insurgents in southern Afghanistan.
The battalion, which serves as the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan, is the only one in the Marine Corps currently using the 120mm mortar system, as opposed to the 81mm mortar system.
Capt. Mike Hoffman, commanding officer for Company I, 3rd Bn., 8th Marines, said the larger mortars give the Marines an increased range to effectively engage and eliminate their targets and illuminate the battlefield during hours of darkness.
The 120mm mortars greatly contributed to establishing and maintaining security when the battalion cleared southern Afghanistan's Route 515, Hoffman explained. The road connects the districts of Delaram to the east and Bakwa to the west.
"The 120mm mortars have been instrumental to our success in Afghanistan," he said. "They provide us certain advantages as opposed to the previous weapon systems. These advantages include increased firing range and illumination. They can also be manned by the same size crew as the smaller 81mm mortar system."
Sgt. Brian Morris, a section leader with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapon Co., 3rd Bn., 8th Marines, said the transition from the 81mm to the 120mm mortars was fairly simple due to the systems' similarities.
Morris added, although the 120mm mortar system lacks mobility compared to the previous system due to its 318-pound weight, it has a maximum effective range of more than seven kilometers. This allows Marines to distribute forces in a larger area of operations while still maintaining security.
"We protect our fellow Marines as they advance on the battlefield and fight the insurgency," Morris said.
Hoffman said the 120mm mortars also give local Afghan villagers a sense of security and faith in the SPMAGTF - Afghanistan.
"The illumination of the battlefield lets the Afghan people know we are watching the area, and insurgent forces will not be able to come into their village at night," Hoffman said.
Morris explained illumination is a vital part of the mortarmen's mission.
"We receive a lot of illumination missions because illuminating the battlefield not only helps our Marines who are patrolling at night, but it also deters insurgents and criminals," he said. "This denies the enemy freedom of movement in the region because they know that we are watching them."
Insurgents use the hours of darkness to plant improvised explosive devices and stage attacks against alliance forces. Insurgents use these tactics with no regard for the well-being of the local civilian population.
Hoffman attributed the system's success rate to his Marines.
"We have an incredible group of Marines here," he said. "They are very efficient and knowledgeable in what they do. They have adapted to the 120mm mortars and they have adapted extremely well."
Approximately 2,000 III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines are currently deployed in support of SPMAGTF - Afghanistan.
Ellie