Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Maj. Klaus J. Meckenstock, of Bad Kreuznach, Germany, the senior...... read more read more
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By Spc. Courtney Marulli
2nd BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — The mortar platoon of 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, started its deployment with a bang, firing its mortar for the first time.
Most members of the mortar platoon have been together for years, but even the new members have quickly become part of the team. Even the 1-504th's senior enlisted member, Command Sgt. Maj. Klaus J. Meckenstock, a former member of the platoon, wanted to be there when it registered the weapon using the assistance of the unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time.
"This was actually a first time for me based on the modern technology," he said.
Meckenstock, of Bad Kreuznach, Germany, said he has always used a forward observer and that using the UAV was new. "It went well," he said. "It was a good learning experience."
In 1983, Meckenstock was a private in the mortar platoon and eventually became platoon sergeant from 1992 to 1994. It was special for him to be there with the platoon and to hang a mortar round with them.
"I'm proud to be there with my Soldiers," he said.
Sgt. 1st Class Paul D. McNeill, platoon sergeant for the mortar platoon, has been deployed two times and has been with the platoon for almost three years. Using the UAV was a first for McNeill, of Lillington, N.C.
Before coming to Iraq, McNeill said everyone trained extensively to ensure all Soldiers, especially the newer ones, were comfortable and "in sync" with one another.
"Repetition and training is how to get 'in sync,'" he said.
The mortar rounds come in 60, 81 and 120 millimeters, and the platoon went from firing mostly 81mm to 120mm rounds.
Staff Sgt. Louis M. Bost, section sergeant, of Evansville, Ind., said the platoon tried to incorporate firing the 120mm alongside with the 81mm mortar back at Fort Bragg. The platoon had never done that before. The difference here is that they're actually both using them in combat and not just as a training exercise at the range, he said. Bost wants to get outside the wire to do mortar missions in order to show the insurgency that American mortars are bigger and more accurate.
Spc. David A. Elliott is on his second deployment and said everything inside the Fire Direction Center ran smoothly once the registration started. He credited the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team's Fire Support Element with helping out.
"Their standards are different than anything we've done," he said.
Cpl. Mark P. Keenan, the squad leader, also said the registration went well.
"I felt the fire missions came back quicker," he said. "We're getting data faster and quicker than we normally get."
Keenan, of Fair Lawn, N.J., is on his second deployment and has been with the platoon for two years. Keenan's role in the process is to receive the information such as deflection, elevation and fuse setting and the type of round to use. Then he conveys this to the gunner and makes sure the gun is ready to fire. He checks the ammunition to see if it is prepared properly and then supervises everyone else.
"With mortars you're dealing with a dangerous weapon," he said. "You have to be confident in your guys and know what they're doing and that they'll do the right thing."
Spc. Robert P. DiMatteo, a gunner, has been with the platoon for almost two years. In that time, DiMatteo has seen the platoon go from being an 81mm platoon to a 120mm platoon. It was a pleasant change.
"I find it easier to gun with," he said of the 120mm round. "Your assistant gunner has more of a part, more of a role in it. It's not as fragile as the 81mm and it's sturdier."
DiMatteo, of Staten Island, N.Y., said his role as the gunner is to receive the information from the squad leader and then realign the tube to the aiming stakes. Then he levels the bubbles, which help make sure the weapon is balanced. Once that's done he lets the squad leader know the mortar is ready to fire.
DiMatteo and his assistant gunner, Pvt. Kerry D. Marino, said they have been working closely with one another to get "in sync." Marino, of Bar Harbor, Maine, is on his first deployment and it is also his first time working with the 120mm system.
"It's the second time I touched it since I came into the platoon," he said.
On the job training has helped Marino during his four months with the platoon. Marino's role is to make sure the elevation bubbles are level and to help the gunner shift the bipod. He also gets to hang the rounds.
"With the 81mm, the assistant gunner mostly just hangs the round," he said.
Pvt. Emmanuel V. Adame, the ammunition bearer for the mortar platoon, is responsible for keeping an accurate round count and for preparing the rounds to be fired.
On-the-job training has helped Adame, of Los Angeles, Calif., switch from the 81mm to the 120mm and has helped him transition into the rhythm of the platoon he has been a part of for almost three months.
This is his first deployment and everything has been smooth so far. Keenan said Adame has an important job because in a way he has his own section to watch. The ammunition bearer has to hear the data, process it quickly and prepare the round. The ammo bearer also has to be confident in his role because he functions on his own.
"Most of the focus is on the gunner and the assistant gunner," Keenan said. "Sometimes it's an overlooked member, but important as well."
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2007 10:11 |
| Story ID: | 9204 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 379 |
| Downloads: | 197 |
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