II Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

Story by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – Mortarmen from Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division recently took to the ranges aboard Fort A.P. Hill, Va., to hone their indirect fire skills using their M252 81mm mortars.

Although it looks simple in design, a mortar is probably one of the most complex weapons systems out there, said Staff Sgt. Nelson Adames, 1st section leader.

"You have to make sure whatever call for fire that they're giving is accurate," said the Victoria, Texas, native. "The squad leaders and gunners need to make sure the numbers are correct on the gun line. The smallest error could have disastrous results and may cost lives."

A mortars platoon is composed of three distinct elements, which must all be in sync with one another for a fire mission to be successful and leaves little room for error.

"There are three parts to a mortars platoon; there's the gun line which is the muscle, the fire direction center which is the brain, and the forward observer who serves as the eyes," said 1st Lt. Michael Thatcher, 81mm platoon commander.

Communication between the different elements is the most critical and the most challenging part of being in a mortars platoon, but spending time at the range is what makes the Marines become proficient in their field, said Lance Cpl. William Brown an assistant gunner.

"It gives us hands on experience with mortars in a practical environment which helps to get new Marines locked on so we can make sure they know their jobs inside and out," stated Brown.

Beyond their role as indirect fire support, mortarmen must understand how to conduct military operations in urban terrain and be capable of working in combined anti-armor teams.

"We have 20 new Marines out of 60, and we're working on training them up," Thatcher said. "They need to learn an array of skills and become jacks of all trades, able to perform mounted and dismounted operations as well as fulfilling their role as fire support."

During the exercise, the Marines fired at targets they could see and at those obstructed by natural barriers.

Thatcher explained that working with a mortars platoon is rewarding, because mortarmen must have extensive knowledge across the board to be well versed in all things infantry.

The training exercise served to bring the new Marines with the 81mm Mortar Platoon closer to being prepared for a possible deployments where their ability to provide accurate indirect fire will invaluable.

For more information on the II Marine Expeditionary Force, visit the unit's web site at www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil.

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