Indirect fire infantryman of 1 Geronimo sharpen skills

  • Published
  • By Airman Ty-Rico Lea
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  As the clouds thickened and warmth became scarce, a small group of 1 Geronimo Soldiers showed no hesitation while they geared up and gathered ammunition for mortar training on a cold Alaska day at JBER's Upper Cole Range.

Many of the participating Soldiers said they have employed mortars in combat situations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Spc. Darnell Williams, B Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment leading arms bearer, was given the task of expediting the training regimen so all aspects could be covered in a reasonable time.

"For any major training that we have, we prepare briefings and arrange plans in accordance with teachings we deem fit," Williams said.

The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-501st Inf., mortar training is not limited to the JBER installation. They also travel to other parts of Alaska such as forts Wainwright and Greely. Each post integrates various portions of mortar training. HHC is also qualified to train other battalion units in the proper use of the 60-mm mortar system.
"We train other companies as a precaution and readiness tool to ensure they become familiar with the system," Williams said. "So, in a likely case that there aren't any HHC members in the local field of operation, other units will be prepared to engage an enemy with mortar artillery."

The Army currently uses three mortar systems - the 120-mm M120/M121, the 81-mm M252 and the 60-mm M224. Each includes the weapon, the fire control system and the ammunition. The 120-mm system also includes the M121 carrier-mounted system as well as the M120 ground-emplaced system transported by a trailer.

"Our mortar training materials consisted of 60-mm mortars and Full Range Training Rounds," Williams said. "The 60-mm mortar is the smallest mortar we operate with."
The 60-mm mortar system weighs 18 pounds with a minimum firing range of 75 meters and a hand held maximum range of 1,340 meters. The maximum rate of fire for the system is 30 rounds per minute for the first four minutes and a standard rate of 20 rounds per minute after the initial four.

"When it comes to being a mortarman, you receive the basic fundamental training in basic military training," Williams said. "You would then travel to your respective post and receive advanced mortar training."

Indirect fire infantryman training consists of 14 weeks of One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga.

Upon completion of training, participating Soldiers rendezvoused at the 1 Geronimo briefing room to discuss ways to improve methods of mortar control.