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

6-14 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCWP 3-16.1
Upon the XO announcing “close station march
order” (CSMO), battery sections will—
● Strike nets.
● Load all section equipment onto the section
vehicles.
● Check vehicles for proper operation.
● Account for all personnel, section equipment,
and weapons.
● Prepare for movement. Movement will be initiated
by the XO’s vehicle departing the position.
All vehicles will follow, in the prescribed
march order, from their individual locations
within the position.
● Enforce march discipline.
❍ Keep moving.
❍ Relay all signals.
❍ Practice light/noise discipline.
❍ Maintain convoy speed.
❍ Maintain vehicle interval.
❍ Keep alert with weapons outboard.
❍ Wear helmet/flak jackets.
● Continually estimate location while on the
move by using odometer, terrain features, route
markers, check points, PLGR, etc.
Occupying the Position
The objective of the occupation phase of RSOP is
to prepare to deliver fire. The battery is extremely
vulnerable during this phase. Thus, the occupation
must be rapid, orderly, and quiet. Occupations
are enhanced by a well-established SOP,
training, and a well-prepared position.
Deliberate Occupation
On arrival at the position, vehicles move into the
position without halting or closing the interval
between vehicles. Vehicle ground guides lead their
assigned vehicle from the pickup point to the
appropriate location for unloading and/or parking.
Laying of Howitzers
The unit can deliver fire when howitzers are laid.
Various methods are available to meet the needs
of the situation. Detailed procedures for laying
are discussed in MCWP 3-16.3. Reciprocal
laying of aiming circles or howitzers can
overcome LOS problems and expedite laying.
Security
Each section must have a predetermined sector of
responsibility during the occupation. If the howitzer
sections are dispersed over great distances,
each section becomes responsible for its own
defense until help arrives. As the unit settles into
position, the security and defensive plan of the
battery are formed.
Position Improvement
An order of work is established based on the
threat and the time that the unit is in position.
The commander may establish an order of work
as follows:
● Harden critical items of equipment.
● Prepare individual fighting positions.
● Establish security measures.
● Develop defensive plan.
● Prepare alternate position.
Hasty Occupation
In some situations, there may not be enough time
to prepare positions for occupation. Priority of
tasks are established to ensure the following:
● Selection of howitzer positions.
● Set up of aiming circles.
● Preparation of howitzer positions, to include placing
panoramic telescope and marking stakes, and
recording initial deflections.
● Minimum essential internal wire communications.