Marines

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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Cpl. Robert Modar, a cannoneer with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, pulls the lanyard on an M327 Expeditionary Fire Support System Oct. 7 during a training and readiness evaluation. The Marines from 1st Bn., 12th Marines, were getting evaluated on timeliness of getting the 120 mm rounds fired off as preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada)

Photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada

‘Kings of Battle’ prepare for UDP

10 Oct 2014 | Lance Cpl. Adam O. Korolev Marine Corps Base Hawaii

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Marines from Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment consolidated at Schofield Barracks on the evening of Oct. 6, 2014, for their training and readiness evaluation using the 120mm M327 Towed Rifled Mortar Weapon in preparation for their unit deployment program to Okinawa.

According to the General Dynamics Ordinance and Tactical Systems website, the 120 mm M327 is the most advanced rifle-towed mortar system in the world, due to its precision, range and its ability to be transported over rough terrain. The exercise, which served as an evaluation, allowed higher-ranking artillery Marines to judge whether the battery can effectively employ the mortar system down range within a specific time span.

Their evening began with a formation, followed by nighttime dry-fire exercises, which began at 8 p.m. and ran until midnight. The dry firing allowed the Marines to practice for a final evaluation the following day. After a few hours of dry firing and a few hours of sleeping in 7-ton vehicles with their rifles in hand, the Marines awoke at 4:30 a.m. to prepare for the convoy to transport them from their bivouac to their place of fire, where, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the groups of five assigned to each mortar system worked in tandem to accurately demolish their targets.

This sort of readiness is important for combative reasons, said Sgt. John Dickerson, the section chief for Charlie Battery, 1st Bn., 12th Marines. “Our main focus here is basically (proving to our leaders) that we’re properly trained and that we can effectively employ the mortar system,” said Dickerson, a Providence, R.I. native. “If they call us into combat, we’ll be ready.”

Firing a mortar requires precision and safety; therefore, each system requires five Marines to send a mortar downrange. Personnel must carefully place and launch the mortar, observe its landing, and calculate its trajectory.

“Everything went pretty good,” said 1st. Lt. Eric Vanhorn, the directional officer for Charlie Battery, 1st Bn., 12th Marines. “We didn’t have any hiccups (or) issues, and training was conducted safely. Who could want more?”

Vanhorn’s role is to compute the data necessary for the mortars to fire correctly. Based on the input of forward observers, he will calculate the ballistics and point of impact said Vanhorn, a Rio Rancho, NM. native. After the calculations are done, he will ensure that it’s safe to fire and the mortar will impact in the pre-determined safety area.

Last month, the unit was assessed on their ability to effectively fire their howitzers. This training, however, and readiness evaluation was the battery’s final assessment before their UDP to Okinawa. The purpose of the UDP is to rotate units through Okinawa to maintain competence in the case of a conflict.

 


Marine Corps Base Hawaii