Photo By Cpl. Nathan Knapke | Lance Cpl. Travis Brixey, a field artilleryman with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th...... read more read more
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POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii - The Alpha Battery Marines used the mortar system for the first time during the training exercise, and they were mentored by Marines from Bravo Battery to become familiar with the new weaponry.
Marines from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment fired live ammunition with the M327 120 mm mortar system, during Operation Spartan Fury, Feb. 21, 2013.
The Alpha Battery Marines used the mortar system for the first time during the training exercise, and they were mentored by Marines from Bravo Battery to become familiar with the new weaponry.
“We are taking everything we know about the 120 mm mortar system and handing it down to Alpha Battery,” said Cpl. Michael Oberley, a section chief for Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, and native of Greeley, Colo. “Alpha Battery quickly learned everything we taught them over the training period.”
The 120 mm mortar shoots farther than a 81 mm but has a shorter range than the M777 Howitzer weapon system, providing Marines a versatile weapon that packs a heavy punch and is easier to pack up and move than the Howitzer, Oberley said.
“This weapon gives us improved accuracy at different distances,” said Lance Cpl. Travis Brixey, a field artilleryman with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, and native of Coleman, Texas. “We have been out here for two days and are experiencing how much easier the 120 mm is to operate compared to the Howitzer.”
After arriving at the shooting site they unloaded the mortar system and ammunition off trucks into their position. They calculated target coordinates and cautiously prepared large 120 mm ammunition to begin the training’s live-fire portion.
The battery chief commanded his sections to start their loading process by calling out, “Fire mission,” a command he gave to each section to begin the process of sending ammunition downrange. Once the command was given, his Marines began working to make the mission a success.
Before each launch, the Marines collected the correct ammunition, either an illumination, smooth or rifled round with the correct horseshoe-shaped charges that helped the projectile soar through the air. A Marine loaded the round by stepping onto a metal crate, dropping the ammunition down into the barrel and awaiting orders to pull the lanyard for detonation. Before the weapon was loaded, section chiefs double-checked the round type, charge amount, fuse type and target coordinates.
The sections waited until the battery chief gave the command, “Standby.” When this command was given, the section chief raised his hand in anticipation of hearing, “Fire!” from the battery chief. Once this came over the radio, the section chief lowered his arm while simultaneously yelling, “Fire!” His gunner pulled a lanyard attached to the mortar system, causing an earthshaking boom, hurtling a 120 mm round downrange.
When Marines weren’t firing rounds, they had off time until the next fire mission. But there was also work to do to maintain the mortar system.
Marines maintained the cleanliness of the system’s interior, using a bore brush to scrub carbon out of the bore and air release valve.
“Overall, the 120 mm mortar system is a lot easier to clean and maintain,” said Lance Cpl. Tyler Carpenter, a field artilleryman with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, and native of Denham Springs, La. “I hope we can continue to use this versatile system much more in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2013 14:27 |
| Story ID: | 102776 |
| Location: | POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 406 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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