MCWP 3-16.1 Artillery Operations.pdf - Marine Corps Community ...

F-4 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-16.1
To accurately assess these considerations,
accurate intelligence must be available. If intelligence
data is not available, it must be arranged
immediately before planning can be completed.
Landing Zone Marking
How to mark personnel and equipment (howitzer/
ammunition) insertion and extraction points will
be discussed with the pilots during the initial
mission brief to eliminate confusion in the LZ. If
this does not happen, an HLZ brief can inform
the pilots how the LZ is being marked.
If the LZ is not easily identifiable from the air,
navigational aids should be used to vector aircraft
to desired locations. Navigational aids include
panel markers, strobe lights, smoke grenades, and
radios. Reconnaissance teams and HST personnel,
through the use of electronic or visual means, can
aid in terminal guidance and control of helicopters.
An easily identifiable point of reference (a
marking T) should be established to direct aircraft
to specific points in the pick-up and/or LZ.
Daytime Operations
Smoke can draw the pilot’s eyes onto the zone
and demonstrate wind speed/direction. It can also
mark a specific point to insert and extract personnel
or equipment.
Air panels may be used to depict the AoF in
addition to a backup for smoke. Caution should
be exercised when emplacing air panels so they
are not disrupted from rotor wash.
Nightime Operations
Infrared/red chem lights are the most visible to
pilots wearing night vision goggles, and can be
used in the same ways as smoke and air panels.
Infrared strobes are extremely useful for marking
during low visibility. Techniques for employing
strobes in an LZ are:
● Strobe on muzzle brake.
● Strobe 20 to 40 meters forward of howitzer on
deck.
Howitzers
Howitzers desire to hover, land, and take off
facing into the wind. When possible, an LZ is
chosen to best accommodate the howitzers, insertion/extraction
points, and the wind. Howitzers
should face into the wind.
Ample room should be available to the right of
the howitzer for the personnel extraction point so
personnel are away from the tail rotor when
embarking. If room is not available to the right of
the howitzer, ample room should be to the rear of
the howitzer.
The gun section should wait next to the howitzer
for the helicopter to land at the personnel extraction
point. This reduces unnecessary movement
in the LZ and provides additional maneuvering
for the helicopter.
The LZ slope must also be considered and
tempered against the wind speed and direction at
the LZ. The slope must not exceed 8 degrees
where the helicopter is intended to land for risk
of tipping or insufficient rotor clearance. The
slope must not exceed 5 degrees where the howitzer
is intended to be positioned as this prevents
the howitzer from firing.
Helicopter Support Team
HST personnel must be actively involved in the
raid brief and rehearsals. Considerations for