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

5-8 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-16.1
Station Marking
All stations surveyed by battalion teams will
consist of a standard surveyor’s hub driven
almost flush with the ground with a surveyor’s
tack in the center indicating the plumbing point.
Each battalion will be allotted a block of
numbers, by regiment, to designate firing points.
Adjustments will be made, if necessary, to
accommodate attached survey sections.
The orienting station (OS) hub will have a tag
affixed with the following information:
● Date established.
● Station name.
● Direction to end of orienting line (EOL).
● Instructions.
The EOL hub will be tagged with the following:
● Date established.
● Station name.
● Instructions.
The OS will be witnessed by a yellow stake. The
EOL will be witnessed by a yellow and red stake.
Witness stakes are not required to be tagged.
Firing Position Data Card
Battalion survey officers will give a firing
position data card to the battery commander or
his representative with the following information:
● Grid to OS (grid to EOL is optional for use
when 6400-mil capability is required).
● Azimuth and distance from OS to EOL.
Priority of Survey
● Establish OS/EOL for the batteries.
● Establish declination stations.
● Extend control to CBR sites.
● Extend control to met stations.
● Perform target area surveys.
● Assist other units (mortars, PLRS, EW, etc.), as
required.
Reconnaissance for Movement
of the Battalion
The artillery commander initiates reconnaissance
based on his knowledge of the tactical situation
or as a result of a change in mission. Movement
and positioning are driven by fire support
requirements, the tactical situation, communications,
and survivability. The artillery battalion
commander selects positions that allow the battalion
to accomplish its mission.
Although earlier paragraphs establish the
precepts for displacement and advance party
operations, it is important to distinguish between
regiment and battalion operations. Battalions
operate at a higher tempo and must synchronize
their movement with the supported maneuver
unit, reinforced artillery unit or higher regiment
headquarters, depending on their assigned tactical
mission. These movements must also support
the artillery regiment’s concept of operations.
Planning the Reconnaissance
Effective reconnaissance must be planned to anticipate
the needs of the higher artillery unit and the
supported unit. Planning varies with the mission,
time available, and method of reconnaissance.
The commander plans and coordinates the reconnaissance.
He analyzes the tactical situation to
identify positioning requirements. By map reconnaissance,
he identifies a potential PA. He coordinates
potential areas with the supported/reinforced
unit and higher artillery headquarters, as appropriate.
The commander determines the presence of
other units (or their planned occupation of
positions in the vicinity of the area) and routes to
be reconnoitered. Provisions may be required to