TF heavy mortars in a 360-degree Battlefield: lessons learned from Operation Iraqi Freedom

Infantry Magazine, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Matthew C. Paul

ACCURACY--Mortar fire accuracy was significantly enhanced when engaging targets at close range, especially within two kilometers. Take steps to ensure the mortar platoon is positioned as close to the direct fire fight as practical. Boresighting is a vital accuracy enhancing measure that must be conducted during every long halt, in assembly area procedures, and in consolidation and reorganization. The platoon leader must make every effort to register the mortars while located in a static firing position. The platoon can register the base piece gun only off of a stationary target previously adjusted on to. Ideally, the platoon should receive and apply a meteorological (MET) message every four-to-six hours. If the weather patterns change significantly between lengthy MET updates, I recommend the current MET be deleted from the mortar ballistics computers. This will reduce the unpredictability of the mortar rounds adjusting on to a desired target.

Captain Matthew C. Paul is a distinguished military graduate of Drexel University and was commissioned into the Infantry in 1999. He served as a mortar platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.