Fire for effect: Mortarmen and observers train for success

Photo By Sgt. Quentin Johnson | Soldiers and civilians watch as a mortar shoots out of a firing tube during live-fire training conducted by 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, on Fort Hood, Texas, Sept. 1.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

08.30.2010

Story by Spc. Justin A. Naylor 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas— While all soldiers might wear the same uniform, collaborative training between multiple units isn’t always an easy feat in the military.

It requires a significant amount of planning, preparation and training to ensure all elements are able to work together cohesively.

As the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, continues to ramp up its training schedule, Black Jack mortarmen and forward observers from throughout the brigade worked together to hone their skills during a live-fire exercise on Fort Hood, which started, Aug. 30.

“[This] allows units from across the brigade to exercise different planning systems and develop a training plan that ensures we are all one cohesive unit by the time we get out here,” said Capt. Daniel Braud, a Kingwood, Texas, native and the officer who planned the event.

“It’s been nearly two years since they did a mortar live fire like this,” continued Braud. “We’re focusing on the technical aspects of mounted mortar live fire to focus on our core competencies and refresh the soldiers’ skills.”

“This allows them to get back into the swing of things,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Connelly, a Wichita, Kan., native and a platoon sergeant with 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment.

While many of the soldiers at the training were fairly new to the unit, Connelly said they and the experienced soldiers alike all learn from this type of training.

“They get a lot out of it anytime they can come out and drop live rounds,” he said. “You can only dry fire so many times.”

As the mortarmen practiced shooting rounds, forward observers called for and directed their fire from atop a nearby hill.

“We’re certifying fire support teams in conjunction with the mortar live fire,” said Braud.

According to Spc. Sean Boller, a Columbia, S.C., native and a forward observer with 1st Battalion, 8th Cav. Regt., this is the first chance that many of the newer forward observers have had to actually come to the field with their units and try their occupation specific skills in a live-fire environment.

Without direction and guidance from forward observers, mortarmen wouldn’t be able to effectively fire upon targets, explained Boller.

In preparation for the live fire, the participating Soldiers spent two weeks practicing.

“The two week train up involved practicing crew drills, misfire procedures and skill exams,” explained Braud.

“It [gave] everybody the chance to rehearse what they are going to do,” said Connelly.

For the soldiers participating, this event was a chance to work with other soldiers from different parts of the brigade who had the same military occupation specialty as them.

“It’s a team building event for mortars and forward observers from throughout the brigade,” said Braud.

Once the training is complete, the goal is for soldiers to take what they learned back to their respective units and teach new soldiers as they come in.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2010
• Date Posted: 09.07.2010 13:21
• Story ID: 55848
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US