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

3-6 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-16.1
will displace in increments. Regardless of the
method, communications must be continuously
maintained with the supported unit, reinforcing
artillery, higher artillery headquarters, and
between headquarters’ echelons. In extreme
situations during displacement, control of the
regiment may be transferred to one of the battalions,
or control of the battalion may be transferred
to one of the firing batteries.
Unit Displacement
The battalions displace with all elements moving
at once. Unit displacement is fast and can be easily
controlled since no firing is required. This method
is useful when a battalion is supporting a unit not
presently in contact; when a battalion is making a
long move; and when a reinforcing unit is available
to deliver fires to the supported unit while the
DS battalion is displacing. Considerations include
the size of the convoy, traffic conditions, and the
loss of flexibility once the movement has started.
When the regiment COC must displace by unit,
regiment control will be passed to one of the
battalion’s FDCs. Passing control to a battalion
with a DS tactical mission should be avoided
whenever possible.
Echelon Displacement
Battalions displace one or two firing batteries, an
increment of the headquarters, and some CSSEs in
one echelon while the rest of the battalion stays in
position. When the first echelon is in position and
ready to fire, the second echelon displaces. This
method provides continuous but degraded support
to the supported unit, and facilitates and reduces
C2 convoy size. It is useful when the supported
unit is expecting/encountering light resistance. The
commander’s flexibility is limited. The
commander normally goes with the first echelon;
the executive officer (XO) stays with the second.
Echelon displacement is the preferred method as it
provides continuous C3. The headquarters element
will displace on order of the regiment commander.
Displacement should be invisible to subordinate
and supported units. The FWD COC will move to
the new COC site while the main COC retains
control of the regiment. Once established, the
FWD COC assumes control of the regiment and
the main COC moves to the new COC location.
Prior to displacement, the communications officer
will coordinate communications plan changes with
higher, subordinate, and adjacent commands. Each
COC will maintain the capability to man the
minimum required radio nets during displacement.
Passage of C2 forward will be kept as simple as
possible, especially when encrypted communication
equipment is used. The FWD COC will
remain off the fire direction and tactical nets until
ready to assume control. Updates of essential
information will be passed forward from the main
CP prior to relinquishing control.
Typically, the S-3A displaces with the FWD COC
while the S-3 remains with the main CP. Specific
configuration and manning is mission-dependent
and at the discretion of the regiment commander.
Battery Displacement
Each battery moves only after the preceding
battery has completed its move and is prepared to
fire. This method provides maximum continuous
fire support and centralized C2, but is slow and
difficult to control over any distance. It is used
primarily by a battalion supporting a unit in
contact and is normally accomplished in a series of
short moves.
Hasty Displacement
The tactical situation may require the unit to
displace with little warning or preparation time.
The battery conducts a hasty displacement when it
has enough time to expeditiously organize and
conduct the displacement. This situation may arise
because of imminent threat attack or a change in
the friendly situation. The senior man in the
position must quickly assess the situation and
signal the hasty displacement by audible and visual
means. An advance party is rapidly assembled and