Your Unit Will Conduct A Mortar Firing Exercise—See The Jaw‑Dropping Footage Everyone’s Talking About

What does it feel like when the whole platoon lines up, the range officer shouts “Ready!” and a thunderous boom rolls across the field?
If you’ve ever watched a mortar crew set up a 60‑mm or 81‑mm piece, you know the mix of tension and excitement that comes with every round.

Most soldiers think “mortars” are just big metal tubes that spit out shells, but the reality is a blend of math, safety rituals, and teamwork that can make or break a mission. Below is everything you need to know when your unit will conduct a mortar firing exercise—from the basics of what a mortar actually is, to the pitfalls that turn a smooth drill into a safety nightmare, and the tips that keep your crew on target every time.

What Is a Mortar Firing Exercise

A mortar firing exercise is a controlled training event where a unit practices the complete cycle of mortar operations: emplacement, aiming, loading, firing, and post‑fire procedures. Think of it as a rehearsal for a real‑world indirect fire mission, only with safety nets, range officers, and a lot of paperwork.

The Core Components

• The Mortar System – Usually a 60‑mm, 81‑mm, or 120‑mm tube, a bipod, baseplate, and a sighting device (often a M64 or M252 sight).
• Ammunition – High‑explosive (HE) rounds are the standard for training, but practice rounds (like “training” or “dummy” shells) may be used for safety.
• The Crew – Typically three to five soldiers: a gunner, assistant gunner, loader, and sometimes a fire direction officer (FDO) and safety observer.
• The Range – A designated firing area with cleared zones, impact markers, and a range safety officer (RSO) monitoring every shot.

In practice, the exercise is a choreography. One person sets the baseplate, another levels the bipod, a third loads the round, while the FDO calls out fire missions and adjustments. The whole thing hinges on communication and a shared mental picture of the target Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Turns out it matters..

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Why It Matters / Why People Care

You might wonder why we spend hours on a drill that seems, on the surface, just “shoot a big gun.” The answer is three‑fold.

1. Force Multiplication – Mortars give infantry units organic firepower that can reach targets hidden behind terrain. Mastery means you can suppress an enemy position before you even see it.
2. Safety – Mortars are unforgiving. A mis‑set baseplate or a wrong elevation can send a round ricocheting back toward friendly troops. Repetition builds muscle memory that prevents accidents.
3. Mission Success – In a real combat scenario, the speed of fire and accuracy of adjustments can decide whether a platoon holds a hill or retreats. Training translates directly into battlefield confidence.

When a unit nails a mortar exercise, you’ll see quicker response times, tighter fire‑control discipline, and fewer “oops” moments that cost time—or worse, lives.

How It Works

Below is the step‑by‑step flow that most units follow, broken into bite‑size chunks. Feel free to adapt the order to your unit’s SOP, but the fundamentals stay the same.

1. Planning and Safety Brief

• Range Card Review – Study the map, note the firing line, impact area, and any restricted zones.
• Safety Brief – The RSO runs through personal protective equipment (PPE), back‑blast zones, and emergency procedures.
• Fire Mission Format – Review the standard call‑up format (e.g., “Alpha‑1, grid 12345, fire for effect”).

2. Emplacement

1. Select a Spot – Choose a firm, level ground with a clear back‑blast area (usually a 30‑meter radius).
2. Set the Baseplate – Dig a shallow pit if needed, then place the baseplate so the center of the tube aligns with the intended firing line.
3. Attach the Bipod – Spread the legs, lock the elevation gear, and make sure the tube sits square.

3. Survey and Sighting

• Level the Tube – Use a bubble level or the sight’s built‑in level to get the tube within ±0.5° of true horizontal.
• Set the Elevation – Based on the range card, turn the elevation knob to the calculated angle (e.g., 45° for a 1,200‑meter target).
• Azimuth Alignment – Rotate the tube to the correct bearing using the sight’s compass or a handheld GPS.

4. Loading Procedure

1. Safety Check – Verify the barrel is clear, the breech is open, and the crew is at a safe distance (usually 5–10 meters).
2. Insert the Round – The loader lifts the mortar shell by the tail fin, aligns the fuze, and slides it down the tube.
3. Close the Breech – The gunner snaps the breech block shut, ensuring a tight seal.

5. Firing

• Command – The FDO gives the “Fire!” command.
• Trigger – The gunner pulls the lanyard, which releases the firing pin. The round erupts, follows a parabolic arc, and lands on the target.

6. Observation and Adjustment

• Spotting – The forward observer (FO) watches the impact and calls back “Splash!” or “No effect.”
• Adjust – The FDO calculates correction (e.g., “Add 100 meters, left 200”). The crew adjusts elevation and azimuth accordingly.

7. Post‑Fire Procedures

• Clear the Tube – After the last round, open the breech and run a cleaning rod through the barrel.
• Pack Up – Disassemble the bipod, lift the baseplate, and stow the mortar in its transport case.
• After‑Action Review (AAR) – Discuss what went well, what lagged, and note any equipment issues.

Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong

Even seasoned crews trip over the same snags, especially during the first few drills.

• Skipping the Back‑Blast Check – Some soldiers think “the round’s going forward, why worry about behind us?” Wrong. A mis‑aimed round can bounce off the ground and ricochet back. Always clear the 30‑meter safety circle.
• Incorrect Baseplate Placement – If the baseplate isn’t centered on the firing line, every elevation reading is off. The result? Rounds consistently falling short or overshooting.
• Rushing the Sight Alignment – The sight’s elevation knob is fine‑tuned in tenths of a degree. A hurried turn can add 50 meters of error at 1,000 meters range.
• Improper Loading Direction – Loading the shell tail‑first is a hard habit to break, but it’s a safety hazard—if the fuze is exposed, you could set it off prematurely.
• Neglecting the “Ready” Call – The “Ready!” command isn’t just protocol; it signals that the range is clear, the RSO is satisfied, and the crew can fire. Skipping it invites chaos.

Practical Tips / What Actually Works

Here are the nuggets that keep the drill humming and the crew safe Most people skip this — try not to..

1. Use a Pre‑Fire Checklist – A laminated, one‑page sheet with boxes for “Baseplate level,” “Bipod spread,” “Safety circle cleared,” and “Sight zeroed.” Tick each item before you even think about loading.
2. Practice the “Load‑Fire‑Clear” Cycle Blindfolded – Not literally blindfolded, but without looking at the sight. This forces the crew to internalize the motions and reduces reliance on visual cues that can be obscured by dust.
3. Mark the Back‑Blast Zone with Flags – A quick line of orange flags makes the safety circle visible to everyone, even the range officer.
4. Record Elevation and Azimuth for Each Range – Keep a small notebook. Over time you’ll notice patterns (e.g., “At 1,200 m, elevation 46° works on our field”). Those notes become your personal fire‑solution guide.
5. Rotate Crew Positions – Let the loader try the gunner’s seat after a few rounds. Fresh eyes often spot alignment issues that veterans miss.
6. Use a Laser Rangefinder – If your unit has one, it cuts down on math errors. Verify the distance, then feed it into the fire‑control chart.
7. Stay Loose on the Lanyard – A tight grip can cause the firing pin to jam. A relaxed wrist ensures a clean pull.

FAQ

Q: How far apart should the mortar crew stand from the tube during loading?
A: Typically 5–10 meters, depending on terrain. The key is that no one is directly in line with the barrel’s axis and that there’s enough room to swing the shell without hitting the bipod But it adds up..

Q: What’s the difference between “Fire for Effect” and “Adjust Fire”?
A: “Adjust Fire” is a spotting round—usually a single shell to see where it lands. “Fire for Effect” follows successful adjustments and delivers the full burst of rounds on target.

Q: Can we use the same mortar for both training and combat?
A: Yes, but training rounds often have reduced propellant charges to limit range and recoil. Make sure you switch to the appropriate charge when moving to a live‑fire scenario Small thing, real impact..

Q: How do I calculate the correct elevation for a new range?
A: Use the mortar’s fire‑control chart: find the range, read the corresponding elevation angle, and apply any local corrections (altitude, temperature, barrel wear). A digital calculator or app can speed this up.

Q: What should I do if a round misfires or hangs in the tube?
A: Immediately stop firing, notify the RSO, and follow the “misfire” procedure: keep the barrel pointed downrange, wait 30 seconds, then open the breech and remove the round with a rod. Never attempt to pull the round out while the barrel is still hot Not complicated — just consistent..

When the last round thuds into the sand and the crew packs up, the real win isn’t just a tally of hits—it’s the confidence that every soldier knows exactly what to do when the next “Ready!” echoes across the field.

So next time your unit will conduct a mortar firing exercise, walk the range with a checklist, respect the safety zones, and keep the communication tight. The mortar may be a simple piece of metal, but the discipline behind it is what turns a bang into a decisive advantage.

Happy firing, and stay safe out there.