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

F-10 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-16.1
advance party may be followed by the remainder
of the assault echelon by as little as 5 minutes.
Movement Control
Helicopter control is established through radio
transmissions or a color-code system. Radio
control is slow and requires numerous transmissions
to complete a landing. The color-code
system conspicuously displays a colored marker
on the ground to identify the LZ. Each load is
then assigned a color that is conspicuously
displayed on the load. The ground guide in the
LZ wears an air-ground recognition vest or uses
an air-ground recognition panel the same color as
the assigned load. The pilot knows the color of
his load before reaching the LZ. En route, the
pilot notifies the terminal controller of the load’s
color and proceeds directly to the marked site or
to the appropriate ground guide.
To instruct the pilot, ground guides use arm-andhand
signals and wear a colored vest during
daylight operations; at night, ground guides use
colored lights or illuminated batons. The reference
point used to guide helicopters is the color-coded
M198 Battery
(6 guns)
load or panel marker. The helicopter crew chief
can guide the helicopter to its pickup or release
point. The crew chief observes the load or the
panel marker through the helicopter hook hatch
and directs the pilot to the pickup or release point
via the helicopter intercom.
Occupation of Position
During the planning phase of a battery operation,
the battery commander tentatively selects the
location of key installations, plans the organization
of the prospective LZ, and coordinates
procedures for control of aircraft during the
occupation. Immediately after the advance party
arrives in the LZ, the battery commander designates
battery center and positions the T-marker.
Howitzers are released as near their firing
positions as possible. A guide for each howitzer
section clears the immediate position area of any
loose debris and obstacles, prepares the position
to receive equipment, and displays a marking
device of the same color as that assigned to his
section. Once the battery is on the ground,
standard firing battery procedures are followed.
Table F-1. Notional Artillery Battery Lift (Advanced Party).
Unit Echelon Lift # Load Composition 1
Advanced Party 1 Personnel:
Battery Commander
FDC, Comm, Terminal Controllers
Advanced Party 2 Personnel:
Gun Guides, Security
Equipment:
MC-4000 Forklift
Howitzer Section 3-8 Personnel:
Gun Section
Equipment:
M198 and Ammunition 2
Resupply Echelon Remainder of battery (personnel, equipment, and supplies) may be
transported by helicopter or link up by ground means.
NOTE: The assault echelon is composed of the advanced party and howitzer section.
1. The actual load composition depends on the type of helicopter and lift capability.
2. Quantity of ammunition varies with the net type, helicopter lift capability, and type of ammunition and packaging.