Mortar Team
Purpose
Mortar teams are high skill, high value assets place into battle situations to help remove dug in enemies or provide cover and support for friendly troops. As a mortar team, you will be responsible for: *D
- Delivering High Explosive (HE) rounds to both close and distance target locations.
- Delivering Smoke rounds to allow friendlies to move either to or from an location.
- Delivering Illumination rounds during night time operations to give friendlies better visual advantage.
- Being ready to move and relocate should the need arise.
Equipment
- 82mm Range Tables
- Map tools
Range Table: Shows distances adjustments and time of flight to target
Map Tools: Gives accurate distance estimates on a map. Each number is 1000m on the edge of the tool.
Operation
A mortar team can consist of a Team Lead, Gunner, and a Loader.
The Team Lead relays radio information and targeting information to the gunner and loader, such as where the shells need to land, how many, charge number, and of which type.
The loader selects the right shell and keeps the mortar loaded in accordance with what the Commander wants. Also in charge of setting the charge of the shell and keeping the Lead up-to-date on shells remaining.
It is common to have a JTAC working alongside the mortar team to call in support.
Team Lead
The Team Lead is responsible for:
- Both relaying communications to and from PL and JTAC as well as giving the firing solution to the Gunner and the type and charge of the shell for the loader.
- You should be calling "round(s) out", "Inbound, ETA __ ", and any other useful information to keep your friendlies safe and informed.
Gunner
The Gunner is responsible for:
- Aiming and firing the weapon
- Ensuring the distancing and azimuth that the TL gives is accurate. You should be double checking the lead's calculations and call-outs to insure the round will impact where needed.
Loader
The loader selects the right shell and keeps the mortar loaded in accordance with what the Commander wants. Also in charge of setting the charge of the shell and keeping the Lead up-to-date on shells remaining.
Command will mark a target and instruct the commander over radio which round (he, smoke, illumination) to use
The commander and gunner use the map tools to range the target. While the Loader loads the proper round.
Open the range tables and determine the elevation and charge to use.
The gunner adjusts the mortar to the correct direction, ELEV (range keys: default Page UP and Page down, hold SHIFT to change the range slowly), and Charge (fire mode key: default 1), relays to the commander and fires if instructed.
The commander relays the flight time to Command and calls “splash” when the mortar should hit.
Forward observer or commander will call for adjustment to ELEV or direction.
Gunner adjusts, and Loader loads another round.
Gunner then fires again if instructed.