IRAQ

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IRAQ AGAIN-ISTANCHALLENGES, TRENDS AND
ISSUES

• SFC(P) GEORGE PULLEN

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AGENDA

• Introduction
• Background
• OIF I (60mm Mortar Section)
• First Six Months
• Last Six Months
• OEF VI (Battalion Mortar Platoon)
• Gun Distribution the MTOE Challenge
• SF Mission
• Rifle Platoon Operations
• Summary
• Lessons

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Background

• 91 92 HHC 1/30th IN, Erlangen Germany
• 93 A Co. 1/504th PIR, Fort Bragg, NC
• 94 98 A Co. 3/325th ABCT (later became
  1/508th) Vicenza, Italy
• Bosnia, Dec 95 (Operation Joint Endeavor)
• 99 00 HHC 3/504th PIR, Fort Bragg, NC
• Kosovo (Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Noble
  Anvil)
• 01 03 C Co. 1/503rd PIR, Vicenza, Italy
• OIF I
• 04 06 HHC 1/503rd PIR, Vicenza, Italy
• OEF VI
• 07- 09 C Tm. 2/351st IN, Camp Blanding, FL
• 09 Present D Co. 2/29 IN, Fort Benning, GA

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TOE of the 60mm Mortar Section

• Authorized Six Personnel
• Section Sergeant (Chief Computer)
• Squad Leader (Check Computer)
• 2 x Gunners
• 2 x Assistant Gunners

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60mm Mortar SectionCombat Load (Major Items)

• 2 x ASIP Radios (complete)
• 1 x ANCD
• 2 x M32 LHMBC
• 2 x M19 Plotting Boards
• 2 x GPS
• 2 x M225 60mm Canons
• 2 x M170 Bipods
• 2 x M8 Baseplates
• 2 x M7 Baseplates
• 2 x Aiming Pole Bags
• 2 x M64A1 Sight Units (with boresight)
• 3 to 6 rounds each (METT-C)
• Spare Batteries
• Bore Swab
• 4 x M4s (complete with Optics and Lasers)
• 2 x M9 Beretta 9mm Pistols
• 1 ea. NVGs

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Non-Standard Use of Mortar Ammo

• Use Conventional Illum as field expedient-IR by
  intentionally maxing the HOB
• Use ground-burst Illum for use as reference to
  guide other maneuver elements or to provide a
  polar plot for CAS (much easier identified than
  WP in many cases, particularly in limited
  visibility)
• Use manipulative fires to push or channel enemy
  into kill zones

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60mm Mortar Sections are long overdue for
dedicated trucks (logically 2). MTOE has got to
change to facilitate this. Commanders should
ensure that the vehicles remain dedicated to the
section, and not used as spares for rifle
platoons.
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PAKTIKA PROVINCE (District Map)
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MORTAR DISTRIBUTION

• A Company
• 2 x 81mm Mortars (from BN Mortar PLT)
• 2 x 60mm (internal)
• B Company
• 2 x 120mm Mortars (from BN Mortar PLT)
• 2 x 60mm (internal)
• C Company
• 2 x 120mm Mortars (OEF property)
• 2 x 60mm (internal)
• HHC
• 2 x 81mm Mortars
• 2 x 120mm Mortars

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Organization
Platoon Sergeants Vehicle PSG Driver/RTO M2 .50
Cal HMG Gunner Medic Mortar Gun Truck Squad
Leader (TC) Gunner / Driver Assistant
Gunner M240B MG Gunner (mortar AB)
Platoon Leaders Vehicle PL Driver/RTO MK19
Gunner MK19 AB Mortar Gun Truck Squad Leader
(TC) Gunner / Driver Assistant Gunner M240B MG
Gunner (mortar AB)
16 Men, 4 Vehicle Patrol.
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FIRE BASE MANGRATAY
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UPARMOR SPRINGS. STANDARD SPRINGS CANT TAKE THE
WEIGHT.
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NOTICE HOW THE FBCBII / BFT IS HANGING FROM THE
ROOF?....ITS BETTER LIKE THIS.
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Questions?