Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, participated in a Mortar Training and Evaluation Program (MORTEP), a certification process designed to test and validate the combat readiness of mortar squads, June 2, 2026 at Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA), Bulgaria.
During the exercise, both mortar crews and a Fire Support Team (FIST) qualified on Table VI, allowing them to execute fire missions as a coordinated team.
Mortar crews were responsible for delivering rounds on target, while FISTers observed the impacts and provided correction to ensure accurate fire support. Together, the two elements worked through a series of evaluated tasks designed to assess their proficiency under realistic conditions.
“This is kind of like the first baby steps, or first field exercise that we've had out here to test both our digital and physical capabilities, certify all the soldiers and our leaders, and to validate that everything is going smoothly with the team's personnel, equipment, and vehicles.” U.S. Army Capt. Eric Lewis, the officer in charge of the training event, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
One of the first skills evaluated during the exercise was security. Establishing a suitable observation post is a critical step in ensuring a successful field exercise.
They have to recon the training site to identify potential hazards and determine whether vehicles and equipment can access the area.
A major requirement of this location is ensuring observers have a clear view of the target area, and making sure the position provides protection and limits visibility from potential threat locations.
“Reconning the sites kind of opened our eyes to see our limitations to certain sites, or limitations to get out to certain areas of the training environment,” said Lewis. “However, we worked through it, found a good location, and established as we normally would no matter where we are at.”
Another challenge soldiers faced was adapting to the training environment. Coming from Fort Bliss, Texas, where they primarily train in desert conditions, they had to adjust to the heavily wooded and grassy terrain of NSTA.
“The biggest challenge I've seen is definitely the environment. They're coming from a desert environment to a very heavily wooded and grassy environment. That's something new to them,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alexander Mackay, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the training event, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
Observation and targeting were also key components of the exercise. Mounted and dismounted observers worked to identify targets, establish grid coordinates, and relay information to the mortar crews.
If adjustments were needed after observing the impact of a round, FISTers communicated corrections to ensure accurate fires on target.
“We are helping out the mortars and they’re helping us out with our own stuff while being out in the field, and getting to see how things operate,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Benjamin Jordan, a forward observer with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division.
Prior to live-fire exercises, soldiers trained in a classroom environment using the Call for Fire trainer and completed Table II certification, allowing them to get hands-on experience with the equipment before applying those skills in the field.
“It can be very easy just sitting in a classroom doing simulation work, just sitting in a chair, seeing it on a computer,” said Jordan.
Communication between the FISTers and mortar crews remained one of the most important aspects of the exercise.
Accurate communication allows for the mortar sections to rapidly process fire missions and provide effective support. Every step of the process relies on clear communication to ensure fires are delivered effectively.
“Communication is very important because it can be life or death. If something's called up wrong, and someone misses it,” Jordan said. “Communication overall between the whole team is a big part of our job.”
Training events such as MORTEP reinforce the skills learned by requiring FISTers and mortar crews to work together under realistic conditions while building confidence in their abilities.
“The improvements I've seen throughout the training is a higher level of confidence with the soldiers and actually applying what we've taught them,” said Mackay about his team. “I’m proud of them actually listening and applying what is being taught to them, and making do with what they got and being motivated.”