Combat Outpost Zerok mortar soldiers prepare for spring fighting season

Photo By Sgt. William Begley | U.S. Army Pfc. Nicholas Richards, a native of Crossville, Ala., and Spc. Chad Mudd, a native of Katy, Texas, with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Task Force Blackhawk, make adjustments to a 60mm M224 mortar at Combat Outpost Zerok March 17. The gunners set up target reference points which saves valuable time under fire.  

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.18.2012

Story by Sgt. William Begley 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – As warmer temperatures arrive and the mountain snow of the Zerok district starts melting, the passageways of Afghanistan are open to insurgent activity. On Combat Outpost Zerok, enemy contact isn’t something that soldiers here prepare for - it’s something they expect.

The mortar soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Task Force Blackhawk, conducted exercises to set up target reference points on Combat Outpost Zerok March 17.

U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Petersbrown, a native of Kansas City, Mo., and a gunner said the reason the target reference points are set up now is so that they can quickly return fire when they take contact.

“We were waiting for good weather, so we could set our TRPs,” said Petersbrown.

Mortar soldiers set up their target reference points by firing at a target spot downrange and then adjusting fire from where the round actually hit, until they hit the target, also known as bracketing, according to Petersbrown.

With the target reference points in place, the mortars are installed quickly during an attack, which saves valuable time under fire.

“We could be in our beds and get the call and have them [TRPs] set up in three minutes,” said Petersbrown.

The quick response time allows them to effectively provide a safer perimeter defense around Combat Outpost Zerok, also providing mortar support for neighboring Combat Outpost Twins and Yankees, added Petersbrown.

Another gunner, U.S. Army Pfc. Nicholas Richards, a native of Crossville, Ala., assisted the team in setting up the target reference points.

“I love what I do, it’s fun,” said Richards. “We get to shoot a lot while participate in the majority of the fire missions.”

All of the mortar soldiers acknowledge that they truly enjoy their job. For some, they are getting the opportunity to do what they have always wanted to.

U.S. Army Pfc. Ian Soos, a native of Long Grove, Ill., and a gunner, is truly living his dream.

“I’ve always wanted to be a soldier. Being out here and doing this is a dream come true,” said Soos. “It’s a lot better than fireworks.”

• Date Taken: 03.18.2012
• Date Posted: 03.20.2012 03:03
• Story ID: 85477
• Location: PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: KANSAS CITY, MO, US
• Hometown: LONG GROVE, IL, US