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SECTION XXII

EXECUTION LESSON LEARNED: THE MANEUVER COMMANDER AND THE FSO
MUST EMPLOY THE MORTAR PLATOON EFFECTIVELY

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Maneuver units repeatedly fail to use their mortars effectively. Improperly positioning or employing mortars renders mortars ineffective at critical times. The mortar is an outstanding weapon system when properly employed:

• Mortars provide the force commander the ability to rapidly engage targets without disclosing the position of the maneuver force.

• Mortars can engage targets beyond the range of the maneuver force direct fire systems.

• Mortars can engage large area targets such as dismounted infantry formations.

• The wide variety of mortar munitions gives the maneuver commander the ability to obscure, illuminate or destroy targets with ease.

The maneuver commander is responsible for employment of his mortars. The mortar platoon or section leader is responsible for advising the commander and the FSO on the best method of utilizing the mortars. The FSCOORD and the FSO must assist the maneuver commander in maximizing the advantages of this valuable asset.

The planning process for mortar employment is parallel to that used to plan fires for artillery. Positioning, movement, and logistics of the mortars is the responsibility of the maneuver force. The FSO is responsible for integrating the fires of the mortars into the fire support plan.

An effective method of integrating mortars into the fire plan is to include the leader of the mortar platoon or section in the planning and coordination of the fire support plan. Inclusion of this key individual will ensure the TF maximizes the value of the mortars. It is essential the mortar leader understands the scheme of maneuver and develops a support plan accordingly.

If the mortars are unable to provide responsive fire to the maneuver force, the fire support plan is not adequate. Units that involve the FSO in the positioning and planning of mortar fires are more successful than those that do not.

A successful technique during offensive operations for controlling mortar fires is to position them behind or with the lead company/team and assign the priority of mortar fires to that maneuver force. This provides protection and movement control and facilitates their ability to provide immediate fires in support of the maneuver force.

In the defense, the mortar platoon leader with the FSO and the maneuver force commander select positions to mass fires on likely dismounted infantry avenues of approach and to provide illumination or screening fires to the scouts screening in front of the force. Some common problems of mortar employment are:

• Maneuver commanders do not plan mortar Final Protective Fires (FPF).

• Company Fire Support Off icers do not use mortars.

• Mortars platoons do not receive target lists, OPORDs, ACAs, FPFs, or priority targets.

• FSOs do not know what targets mortars are most effective against.

• TF FSOs and maneuver S3s fall to manage mortar ammunition.

• The maneuver commander, TF FSO, and mortar platoon leader fall coordinate their efforts (positioning, movement, support).

• Communications between the FSO and mortar platoon leader during the battle is limited communications assets. (An effective technique is for the TF FSO to eavesdrop on the maneuver battalion command net, and call the mortar platoon leader directly on the mortar platoon net when necessary.)

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Table of Contents
Section XXI: Use Artillery and Mortar Illumination to Facilitate Direct Fire Weapons at Night
Section XXIII: Direct Support FA Bn Cmdr Must Develop and Wargame the Ops Order with the Bde Staff