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

Artillery Operations _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3-7
departs to the new position. A limited-time preparation
of the new position may be required. Firing
elements and a fire direction element depart after
the advance party leaves. Remaining elements
close to the new position as soon as possible.
Emergency Displacement
The tactical situation may require a battery to
displace immediately. An emergency displacement
is conducted when a battery must urgently
leave its position to avoid casualties and damage to
equipment. This situation normally occurs as a
result of threat attack.
Time is not available for organization for the
displacement. Unit SOP, training, and small unit
leadership guide the displacement. A reconnaissance
party with minimum essential personnel,
equipment, and vehicles meets at a predetermined
point as rapidly as possible and departs to the new
position. A limited-time preparation of the position
is made. Mission-essential equipment and equipment
of value to the threat are loaded as rapidly as
possible and moved to the rally point. Missionessential
equipment includes prime movers, howitzers,
FDC and COC, and enough communications,
ammunition, and other assets to begin firing
at the next position. Non-essential equipment is
left in the position and recovered after the attack
and the unit is reassembled.
The senior man in position must rapidly assess
the situation when deciding to signal an
emergency displacement. He must consider the
exposure of personnel and equipment in executing
the displacement; i.e., the unit’s vulnerability
may increase. During position improvement, a
unit can enhance its capability to conduct an
emergency displacement by practicing the
following measures:
● Position vehicles close; e.g., near gun line or
FDC but with adequate dispersion to ensure
single artillery or mortar round will not disable
both systems.
● Operate with only mission-essential equipment
and personnel.
● Download equipment/supplies only as necessary.
● Prepare positions for rapid exit; e.g., suspend
camouflage nets overhead with an exit readily
accessible; use radio vehicles and field expedient
antennae for communications.