Photo By Capt. Cory Titus | Apache Troop mortarmen fire the first round of the day for their mortar live fire...... read more read more
BAGHLAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – As the soldiers descended, the terrain below was a mystery. The enemy cloaked in mountain shadows and sloping valley obscurities. And the Afghan winds biting.
Mere seconds pass from the time the helicopter wheels of the CH-47, Chinook, touched down to when all troops are off the helicopter. The bird ascends, and the soldiers started the three kilometer movement to their positions. As they march, their boots kicked up dust from the uneven auburn ground. At their positions, the equipment is readied and they identify targets.
Troops from 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment Fire Support Teams and mortar sections kept their fighting skills sharp in the harsh northern Afghanistan terrain with indirect fire training. On November 9th, 6-4 CAV’s Apache Troop air assaulted into a mortar and helicopter live fire exercise. The intent of their training was to simulate fire support for a real world mission.
Troops were split in three teams – one as a combined 120mm and 60mm mortar firing point and two others as a forward observation posts. Fire Support Teams at the observation posts feed the mortar section target coordinates, azimuths and distances in precise language. The brevity of their jargon saves precious seconds.
After the initial mission is fired, and adjustments are made, it is time to bring deadly effects on the target. The forward observer (FO) radioed, “Right 100, drop 50, fire for effect,” to the Fire Direction Control Center.
Staff Sgt. Donald Thornton, the mortar section leader from Nicholasville, Ky., makes the corrections into his Mortar Fire Control System. His men adjust the direction and elevation of their 120mm mortar. Thornton shouts, “Hang it.” His soldiers echo his order back as the assistant gunner suspends the 30 pound round over the mortar tube - the next round is poised for firing - four more rounds will follow.
The concept of indirect fires has changed little throughout history; however the pursuit for improvement yields more lethal effects. For the training event, the mortarmen used advanced computer systems for the mortar live fire exercise to increases their speed and accuracy. The forward observers also synchronized and employed 1-135th ARB, Apache attack helicopters, calling for fire with 30mm and 2.75” rockets.
“You can never be perfect,” said Pfc. Nicholas Obradovich, a forward observer from Granville, Mich. “We (FOs) always look to improve and do things better.” Every forward observer on the Fire Support Teams called an indirect fire mission and a helicopter attack, while every mortar crew member practiced every job on the mortar system. Cross-training builds flexibility within their teams; every soldier can do any job.
The precision of measurement for mortar firings is testament to their dedication.
Troops still measure in mils -- a system of angle measurement designed specifically for the artillery during World War I. Nothing devised since provides greater precision.
Pvt. 1st Class Amadeus Schroder, of Gillett, Wis., knows accuracy has to be coupled with speed.
“Precision is not enough. You need to be fast, too,” Schroder said. “Every second you wait is the chance for the enemy to shoot another round at you and your fellow soldiers.”
Warfare has evolved. But the profound physical and psychological impact indirect fires project onto the enemy remains constant.
The 6-4 CAV mortarmen and Fire Support Teams realize soldiers lives depend on their indirect fires. They shoulder the responsibility with intense pride.
“We send the first message to the enemy,” said Staff Sgt. Waldemar Ruiz, the fire support non-commissioned officer in charge, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. “We have the big guns, and we’re always ready for [the enemy].”
Today, the fire support assets of 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, train relentlessly to master indirect fires and be the best fire support assets in Regional Command - North, Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 11.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2013 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 116526 |
| Location: | PUL-I-KHOMRI, AF |
| Hometown: | MAYAGUEZ, PR |
| Hometown: | BOONSBORO, MD, US |
| Hometown: | ELIZABETHTOWN, KY, US |
| Hometown: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Hometown: | GILLETT, WI, US |
| Hometown: | LOUISVILLE, KY, US |
| Hometown: | MATTOON, IL, US |
| Hometown: | NICHOLASVILLE, KY, US |
| Hometown: | POCATELLO, ID, US |
| Hometown: | RADCLIFF, KY, US |
| Hometown: | WHISPERING PINES, NC, US |
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