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Chapter 3

FIRE SUPPORT

At company level, the most responsive fire support asset available is the company's organic 60mm mortar. Company commanders and FSOs, however, are not fully integrating the 60mm mortar into the company fire support plan nor employing them effectively.

Lessons Learned

• The successful employment of the 60mm mortar depends upon placing the mortar section where it can effectively support the mission.

  • While the company is crossing a danger area, the mortar section must be in a position where it can overwatch the movement and provide fires as needed.

  • During movement, place the section behind the lead platoon. In this location it can best assess the support needed by the lead platoon, position itself correctly, and obtain ammunition from trailing platoons as they move forward.

  • During defensive missions, place the 60mm mortars forward to exploit the range of the weapon against the enemy force. The range is 3900 meters with bipod and 1300 meters hand held.

• Consider 6400 mil firing. In a low intensity conflict the enemy can come from any direction. Positions that will support 6400 mil firing are exposed and will require additional security.

• The 60mm mortar section has limited fire direction center capability. Most fire missions in a mobile operation use direct lay procedures in the hand-held mode.

• Movement of ammunition to the mortar section must be planned.

  • A section usually carries a basic load of 12 to 15 rounds.

  • Rifle platoons carry the remaining rounds for the company. Rounds are dropped off as the platoon moves through the mortar section.

  • Carry the round in its cardboard cylinder in the top of the soldier's ruck sack or strapped to the exterior. Insure the round is placed in a convenient location or precious time will be lost digging through ruck sacks as the platoon passes through the mortar position.

FIRE SUPPORT EXECUTION MATRIX AND MANEUVER COMMANDERS

The fire support execution matrix is an excellent tool for the FSO to explain the fire support plan to the commander.

Lessons Learned

• Give copies of the fire support execution matrix to the Battalion/Company Commanders, Platoon Leaders, and Platoon FOs.

• Brief the matrix to those individuals so they understand and visualize the fire support plan and can execute it if required.

• The matrix cannot be a tool used and understood only by the fire support community. The matrix and the fire support plan belong to the commander. The commander should be able to execute it if required.

• Use the fire support execution matrix to conduct a fire support rehearsal. The purpose of the rehearsal is to insure all personnel fully understand their mission and responsibilities in the fire support plan. Ideally, conduct this rehearsal with a maneuver rehearsal. If the commander does not understand the fire support plan he will not use it. The fire support execution matrix and the rehearsal overcome this problem.

CHECKLIST FOR THE FSO/FSE

Fire support fails when the FSO or the Fire Support Sergeant become casualties and their subordinates are unable to step in and accomplish the mission. Train your subordinates and then use them in providing effective fire support during periods of continuous operations.

Lessons Learned

• The checklist method is effective in providing a consistent, quality product. This is particularly true during times of physical or mental stress or during prolonged periods of sleep loss. FM 6-20-50 provides the fire support requirements for each type of maneuver mission. Use FM 6-20-50 as a checklist for developing the fire support plan.

• Keep in mind that a checklist is not an all inclusive document.

• Use the established checklist as a tool to easily train all members of the FSE to conduct fire planning.

Table of Contents

Chapter 2: Maneuver

Chapter 4: Mobility/Counter Mobility