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

4-8 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-16.1
Reversing slopes from the threat using foliage or
digging holes can assist in this effort.
Signals
Although commanders will designate specific
signals to correspond to various threats or conditions,
the following three signals are standard.
Defense Against Air Attack
Low level strafing and bombing attacks usually
occur during daylight hours. Upon the sounding
of the air attack signal, personnel will assume air
defense positions and all weapons systems will
engage the aircraft.
NBC Defense
The signal for an NBC attack will be continuous
banging of metal on metal. When the alarm is
sounded, all personnel will immediately don and
clear their field protective masks and remain
masked until the “all clear” signal is sounded.
Ground Attack
Upon the sounding of the ground attack signal, the
reaction force will assemble at the rally point with
their assigned gear. Primary watch standers remain
in place and all other non-essential personnel
report to their assigned fighting positions.
Reconstituting the Unit
If a unit becomes ineffective as a result of threat
action, specific actions must be taken to reconstitute
the unit or return it to a desired level of
operational readiness. Cross training and an SOP
facilitate reconstitution. The following actions
are taken:
● Report the situation to higher headquarters.
● Render first aid and evacuate casualties.
● Assess damage, repair equipment, when possible,
and redistribute assets, as required.
● If attacked by NBC, decontaminate personnel
and material.
Special Considerations for
Command Elements
CPs and logistics areas are particularly vulnerable
to threat attack due to a lack of organic firepower
and susceptibility to target acquisition threats.
Proper communications security and operations
security techniques are essential to mask a CP’s
signature. Vehicle traffic in and out of the
position should be limited and strictly controlled.
All sections of a headquarters battery must plan
to man local security posts even if this effort
degrades certain operational capabilities.
If the threat of air attack or artillery fire is minimal,
CEs may consider collocating with other units to
enhance survivability and common defense. For
example, a battalion FDC may occupy a position in
the vicinity of its supported infantry regiment COC.
Similarly, logistic elements may consolidate defensive
responsibilities with their supporting combat
service support detachment (CSSD) in a low threat
environment. This arrangement would be undesirable
in a high threat environment where tactical
dispersion would be maximized to enhance survivability.
Because the sections in the headquarters battery
will seldom be collocated, it is imperative that all
elements are identified with respect to size, capabilities,
and position on the battlefield. At a minimum,