Military

Unit improvements can be made in four key areas to result in the more effective employment of the 60-mm mortars:

Techniques:
1. Commanders need to use the expertise of the mortar section leader. The section leader is the subject matter expert, and can properly advise the commander on mortar employment.

2. Mortar section leaders must understand both offensive and defensive tactics, to understand how the mortars can best support the company/team scheme of maneuver.

3. Mortar section leaders can best advise in these areas:

4. Company commanders should develop courses of action (COA) in conjunction with the section leader. The COA development process and subsequent wargaming will aid the commander in determining how best to use the mortars to support the maneuver plan.

5. Base mortar employment on the following considerations:

6. Other factors to consider for mortar employment:

7. The mortar section leader should attend all company orders and subsequent backbriefs.

2. The one radio assigned to the mortar section (PRC-119 FH) is usually set on the company mortar frequency. The section must then rely on the FSO/FOs for information, and often the section fails to hear how a battle develops.

3. Other small element leaders cannot quickly talk to the mortars without first finding a PRC-119. NOTE: Most squads carry the PRC-126, which does not frequency hop, and is not secure. This also lengthens mortar section response time.

4. Information received over the radio by the mortar section is often old, or received too late to act on.

Techniques:
1. In defensive missions, the company commander should inspect the mortar position when checking other company positions to be sure the mortars are positioned and ready to accomplish their mission. He should also inspect:

2. The mortar section leader should routinely report to the commander and company FSO critical mortar information, and he should receive updated information necessary to accomplish the mission, i.e., maneuver platoons may have shifted their defensive positions, etc.

3. Actively monitor the battle over the radio.
EXAMPLE: When the mortar section monitors that a unit is in contact, the response time for steel-on target can be reduced by anticipating calls for fire and shifting the guns in the direction of a pre-plotted target. Do not hesitate to remind the element in contact of the mortar availability.

4. Radios: Information on the company net is critical to the mortars if they are to be a responsive combat multiplier.

Techniques:
1. Fill mortar canisters with sand, or concrete and then wrap them with duct tape for use in simulating ammunition handling.

2. PVC tubing will also work in lieu of mortar canisters, and the plastic is weatherproof.

3. Use these training aids to realistically work through the control procedures in distribution, handling, storage, movement and redistribution of ammunition on the battlefield.

Procedure: Develop detailed company-level control procedures for the distribution, dropoff and retrieval of mortar ammunition, and then routinely exercise the procedures during unit field training exercises.

Techniques:
1. The mortar section leader should attend all company training meetings.

2. Have the mortar section leader brief the commander on the training plan for the section.

3. Put mortar section training on the company training schedule.

4. Use the mortar in all live fire training exercises.

5. Balance separate section training with combined training with company elements and battalion-level training.

6. LIVE FIRE TRAINING:

By using the techniques and procedures described, and by developing and refining your own, light infantry companies can get the full value out of their 60-mm mortar sections, and turn those mortars into a valuable combat multiplier that can be rapidly delivered.

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The Salute Report
10 Steps to a Better BSA Defense