The mortar platoon headquarters consists of the platoon commander, assistant platoon commander, ammunition technician, and a minimum of two communicators.

MORTAR PLATOON COMMANDER.- The mortar platoon commander may be either a junior officer or a chief petty officer (E-7), preferably from the engineering department. He has the same general duties as any other platoon commander. However, during actual combat operations, he takes up a position in the fire direction center (FDC). The FDC can be a separate bunker, generally located in the battalion command post. In the FDC, he receives fire missions from his forward observers (FOs) or from other commands. He then plots the targets on the plotting board to check their accuracy and determine the exact coordinates. After receiving permission to fire from the commanding officer, he issues fire commands to his squad leaders. The platoon commander is armed with the service pistol.

ASSISTANT MORTAR PLATOON COM-MANDER.- The assistant mortar platoon commander, normally a first class petty officer (E-6), must always be prepared to assume command of the platoon. During combat, he takes up a position in the alternate command post and stands ready to take command of the platoon should the battalion command post be destroyed. He is armed with the service pistol.

MORTAR PLATOON AMMUNITION TECH-NICIAN.- The mortar platoon ammunition technician, usually a first class petty officer (E-6), has the same responsibilities of supply, weapons maintenance, and casualty reporting as the weapons platoon ammunition technician. He is armed with the service rifle.

MORTAR PLATOON COMMUNICATORS.- The mortar platoon communicators, generally constructionmen (E-3), are trained as a team and must be completely familiar with fire commands and procedures. Whenever possible, one communicator is stationed with each forward observer. He passes target information back to another communicator in the FDC by radio. After the fire missions are assigned by the platoon commander, the FDC communicator passes the proper fire commands to the respective squad leaders by field telephone. All communicators are armed with service rifles.

Mortar Section

The mortar section consists of 11 men, a section leader, and 2 mortar crews of 4 men each, a forward observer, and a communicator.

MORTAR SECTION LEADER.- The mortar section leader is usually a first class petty officer (E-6). He is responsible to the platoon commander for the effective employment of his two gun crews. The section leader selects the exact position for placement of the mortar tubes. He supervises their placement and zeroing in. He is armed with the service rifle. The mortars are generally placed about 50 yards apart to help reduce casualties. The section leader normally takes up a position midway between and to the rear of the mortar positions. If possible, he is connected by telephone to his mortar gun crews and to the platoon commander in the FDC.

FORWARD OBSERVER.- The forward observer is usually a second class petty officer (E-5). He is normally the second senior man in the mortar squad. He is the eyes of the mortar team and has the primary mission of locating suitable targets, and calling for and adjusting fire on these targets. He is armed with the service rifle.

MORTAR GUN CREWS.- Each mortar gun crew consists of four men. These men are called the crew leader/gunner, assistant gunner, ammunition carrier number 1, and ammunition carrier number 2.

Crew Leader/Gunner.- The crew leader/gunner, usually a second class petty officer (E-5), is responsible for the correct sighting of the weapon. He receives the target coordinates from the squad leader and makes the necessary safety checks and adjustment to the weapon He is armed with the service pistol.

Assistant Gunner.- The assistant gunner, generally a third class petty officer (E-4), checks the mortar barrel for cleanliness, assists the gunner in positioning the barrel, and loads the weapon on command. The weapon automatically fires upon loading. He is also armed with the service pistol.

Ammunition Carrier Number 1.- Ammunition carrier number 1, generally a constructionman (E-3), prepares the ammunition for firing and passes it to the assistant gunner. In addition, he realigns the aiming stakes under the direction of the gunner. He is armed with the service rifle.

Ammunition Carrier Number 2.- Ammunition carrier number 2, also a nonrated man (E-3 or E-2) assists in placing the mortar. He maintains the ammunition supply for the mortar and helps prepare the rounds for firing. He is also armed with the service rifle.