Courtesy Photo | As a round leaves the tube, mortarmen with mortar platoon, 3rd Battalion, 15th...... read more read more
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WEST POINT, N.Y. – From July 7-13, 2014, the mortar platoon of 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, introduced United States Military Academy cadets on the functions and capabilities of 81mm and 60mm mortar systems at West Point, New York.
The training consisted of learning various specifications of the systems as well as their uses, capabilities and roles in warfare. The cadets, most of whom had never seen a mortar system fire before, began the training by watching the mortar platoon execute a fire mission with the speed and precision that is needed to effectively destroy the enemy with indirect fires.
The cadets were also briefed on the roles of the various Soldiers that comprise a gun team. Pfc. Rudolph Verbose, a mortarman from Bessemer, Michigan, and a gunner for gun team 2 in the mortar platoon enjoyed showing the cadets what his role and responsibilities were.
“Showing them what I do was cool,” said Verbose. “Being a gunner, it’s important that the cadets understand that without the team effort, that round is not going to find its target. It’s about more than just dropping the round.”
The cadets were also introduced to the fire direction center or FDC, which are the mortarmen who work behind the scenes to ensure that all the rounds are fired accurately. It is their job to relay the necessary information to the mortarmen on the line. Sgt. Jonathan Joubert, a mortarman from San Juan, Puerto Rico and the FDC chief for the mortar platoon, gave the cadets a crash course in how important his job is.
“If our information isn’t accurate or the guys on the guns don’t get it right or in time, that round could land anywhere,” said Joubert. “It’s our job to ensure that round lands exactly where we intend for it to.”
After the introduction portion of the training, the cadets moved to the wood line to practice their technique on a mock mortar tube. This practice ensured that they fully understood how to safely hang a mortar round. Corrections were plentiful as the watchful eyes of the mortar platoon looked for any mistakes that could have devastating results during a live fire.
Once the cadets had successfully completed several safe dry runs, they moved to the firing line for the main event, a chance to hang and fire a live 81mm mortar round. As the guns boomed in the background the cadets excitement showed. Once all rounds were complete, the cadets excitedly compared their experiences on the gun. Though this may be the final time any of the cadets fire a mortar round, their respect for the weapon system’s capability will surely stick with them throughout their future careers as Army officers.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2014 14:43 |
| Story ID: | 136798 |
| Location: | WEST POINT, NY, US |
| Hometown: | SAN JUAN, PR |
| Hometown: | BESSEMER, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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