INTRODUCTION
GAIN ATTENTION
As Marines you have participated in operations that vary through the spectrum of warfare - in all corners of the world. In each environment, your mortar positioning and firing techniques vary with the terrain. While operating in a MOUT environment, your mortar positioning and firing techniques must be well planned and executed with precision in order to be successful.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of mortar emplacement and firing techniques in an urban environment.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-35.3, the student will understand and demonstrate the positioning and firing techniques for the employment of mortars in urban terrain.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Know the how to organize mortar fire support for MOUT and properly integrate mortar fire support.
2. Know the proper movement and positioning of mortars.
3. Know the position selection techniques for mortars.
4. Know the types of ammunition for mortars.
5. Know and demonstrate the proper firing techniques for mortars.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught by lecture.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be tested through practical application during situational training exercises.
TRANSITION
BODY
Indirect Fire Support Provided by Mortars:
1. General:
MOUT presents unique indirect fire considerations, even to the close-in indirect fire provided by mortars. While operating within the urban environment, buildings provide an excellent source of cover and concealment to the enemy. At the same time, urban structures limit friendly observation and targeting efforts. Throughout the urban battlefield, targets are normally exposed for brief periods and are often in close proximity to friendly forces. This situation presents problems for forward observers, as they will likely experience difficulty in finding observation posts with adequate fields of fire. Compounding the effects of close combat, are the considerations that must be taken in regards to collateral damage (Marines do not destroy a city to save it) and rubble effects. These two considerations are especially important when it comes to ammunition selection. The importance of effective communications, a thorough understanding of the Rules of Engagement (ROE), and the procedures to prevent fratricide cannot be understated. In a nutshell - SITUATIONAL AWARENESS - and a reliance on common sense and training - will aid in the successful conduct of MOUT.
2. Offensive Support:
In the offense, mortar support plans should include fires to isolate the objective area, support the assault, and support the clearing action. In isolating the objective area, fires are delivered to isolate and fix the enemy and to deny the enemy the use of avenues of approach into and of the urban area. These fires are normally planned and executed by the Ground Combat Element (GCE) or at higher echelons of command. As the assault commences, fires are employed to rupture the enemy's established defenses, screen friendly maneuver, and to maintain the momentum of the attack. During the attack, mortar support is allocated to units involved in clearing operations. Mortar support plans should incorporate the employment of aerial observers to compensate for the restrictions to ground observation (urban terrain related) and to assist in the delivery of deep fires.
3. Employment:
Mortar fire can provide the fire support required to place rounds within the deep defilade created by the presence of tall buildings. additionally, mortars have the capability to fire out of deep defilades. The defilade created by the "urban canyon" (buildings) not only makes it difficult for the enemy to accurately locate Marine mortar positions, it makes it difficult for the enemy to return accurate counterfire. Another "urban benefit" of mortars is their relatively light weight. Even heavy mortars can be hand carried to firing positions not accessible to vehicles or helicopters.
a. The 60mm and 81mm mortars have limited effect on structural targets. Even with delay fuses they seldom penetrate more than the upper stories of most buildings. However, their wide area coverage and multi-option fuses make them useful against an enemy force advancing along streets or other urban open areas.
b. Mortar platoon often operate as separate firing sections during combat in built-up area because these areas lack the required open area that is needed to establish a platoon firing position.
4. Mortar Employment:
For many Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs) and many humanitarian operations mortar employment may not be required. However, their employment is always an option, the use of mortars is situational dependent and should at least be planned for. Remember, the urban environment is very dynamic and the overall situation can change rapidly. If used in these situations, mortars are a "the indirect weapon of choice" as they are the least destructive and can be employed close-in for self defense. In a non permissive NEO, mortars can isolate the objective area during the extraction of the noncombatants. For a more hostile, but still restrictive environment such urban counter-insurgency operations, artillery may be deployed with restrictions. All indirect fire support must utilize fire support control measures and fire coordination procedures to ensure that only intended targets are engaged.
5. Restrictions on Firepower and Force Employment:
The principle behind restrictions and Rules of Engagement (ROE) is an inherent right of self- defense. Marines should not be placed in a situation where the proper security cannot be provided. Beyond that, the restrictions placed on forces conducting a particular operation are dependent upon a variety of reasons. Examples of these restrictions are as follows:
a. National Command Authority (NCA) guidance.
b. The type of urban mission being conducted.
c. The nature of the urban threat.
d. The urban political and social environment.
e. The host nation government's (if one exists) attitude towards the operation, the level of support it provides, and the competency and true dedication to that support (more than providing "lip service" to U.S. involvement).
6. Employment of Fire Support:
Fire planning must be comprehensive in any environment. The urban area adds the dimension of the proximity of buildings to targets, the factoring in of minimum range restrictions and the need for planning a displacement after firing in this tight and restrictive environment.
a. Mortars in the Urban Defense:
Mortar fires are planned on top of and immediately around friendly defensive positions to provide for close-in fire support. At the infantry battalion and company levels, the mortar's high angle of trajectory is utilized to offset some of the disadvantages indirect fire assets suffer in an urban environment. Typical mortar missions include:
a. Enemy overwatch positions.
b. Enemy infantry in the assault just prior to seizing a foothold.
c. Enemy targets taking tactical advantage of rooftops.
d. Any enemy reinforcements within the range of mortar fire.
7. Final Protective Fires: These fires are designed to stop a dismounted assault forward of the friendly defensive position. Fires within an urban area are planned along likely routes of advance (streets, alleys, railways, parks or other open areas).
8. Priorities of Fire: At the battalion level, the commanding officer will establish these priorities based on likely enemy avenues of approach and those enemy combat assets that present the greatest threat to the defense. As an example; during the enemy's initial attack, Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) will concentrate on destroying infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), armored personnel carriers(APCs) and tanks. Should friendly forces be utilizing our mechanized assets to counter this assault, mortars can be employed against enemy ATGM or other anti-armor positions (RPG's, SCHMEL, etc.). Another priority target of mortar fire is any enemy overwatch positions and those elements supporting them. If the enemy secures a foothold, priority of mortar fire should be shifted to the destruction of any enemy forces that have penetrated the defensive line.
9. Other Considerations:
a. The use of burst munitions is an effective means of clearing snipers from rooftops. High Explosive (HE) rounds with delay fuses can be an effective means of neutralizing enemy troops in the upper levels of a building. Because of the overhead cover provided by most buildings, HE has little effect on enemy troops positioned on the lower levels.
10. Organization for Combat:
Normally 81mm mortars are employed in general support of the battalion. The 60mm mortar normally remains a weapon used in direct support of the infantry company commander unless otherwise direct. (MOUT Homepage Comment: Urban combat requires a high degree of innovation and individual decision making, down to the squad level. Maintain situational awareness and your experience to best use mortar fire to accomplish your mission.)
11. Movement and Positioning: 81 mm mortars employed in general support are normally placed in positions within or near an occupied position of the infantry reserve. Key considerations for the selection of positions include the minimum range of the mortar, mask and overhead clearance, terrain, suitability to set base plates, dispersion and accessibility. Positioning may become a problem in areas that are flooded due to sewer destruction or blockage,
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
The Use of Mortars During MOUT (CALL)
| HOME | CONCEPTS | DOCTRINE |
| OPERATIONS 1 | OPERATIONS 2 | TECHNOLOGY |
| COMMERCIAL | RESEARCH | MOUT FORUM |
| BOOKSTORE | SIGN GUESTBOOK | VIEW GUESTBOOK |
| UNITS/IMAGES | DEDICATION |
Get your own Free Home Page