FM 3-19.4 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

FM 3-19.4
Control Fire
traverses and searches to either flank. When he reaches
the flank, he reverses direction and traverses and
searches in the opposite direction. If two MK19 GMGs
are being fired as a pair, the point of the initial lay and
adjustment for both guns is on the midpoint of the
target. After adjusting the fire on the center of the mass,
fire is distributed by applying direction and elevation
changes that give the most effective coverage of the
target area. Usually, the right gun (number 1) fires on
the right half, and the left gun (number 2) fires on the
left half. Appendix G describes the MK19 qualification
and familiarization tables and provides a sample
scorecard.
3-11. Fire control is an essential component of fire
distribution. A platoon leader must know what means
he will direct the fire element to use when engaging the
targets. He will communicate directly or use
prearranged signals to identify the location of the target
to the other units. He may use sound signals (such as
voice, a horn, or a whistle), but must remember that
they are only good for short distances and that their
reliability and range are reduced by battle noise,
weather, terrain, and vegetation. Use a radio to direct
the base-of-fire element or adjust fires from reference
points or landmarks, because a radio offers immediate
voice communication. For example, he may say, "From
the burning scout vehicle, northwest 50 meters, machine
gun position." If portable radio equipment is not
available, he uses prearranged visual signals, such as
smoke or flares. A smoke round from a grenade
launcher, unless it is being used for some other purpose,
and a smoke canister can be used as a signal. Use these
items during reduced visibility in addition to aiming
stakes, illumination, night-vision devices, infrared
chemical lights, and so forth.
3-6 Shoot, Move, and Communicate