The Fire Support Handbook - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)




The Fire Support Handbook
Fire Support manages indirect fires such as mortars and artillery, coordinating IDF for effect.



WIP

Mortarman (Ammo Bearer)
Fire Support • Support Operations

Carries additional ammunition for the mortar team. Responsible for transporting mortar rounds and ensuring steady resupply during firing missions. Assists in preparing fuses and charges when required, and supports the Assistant and Gunner by maintaining a supply chain of ready rounds.
WIP

Mortarman (Assistant)
Fire Support • Support Operations

Carries a part of the mortar when on the move, assists with loading, sighting, and setup. Transports the mortar baseplate and/or bipod during movement, helps with emplacement, alignment, and sighting of the mortar, and acts as the loader during firing missions by inserting rounds under the direction of the Gunner.
WIP

Mortarman (Gunner)
Fire Support • Support Operations

The senior mortarman within the crew, responsible for operating the mortar during fire missions. Carries the mortar tube or barrel during movement, ensures correct sighting and laying of the weapon, and adjusts elevation and deflection according to fire control orders. Acts as the primary operator of the mortar while working under the direction of a Fire Support Chief or other higher command.
WIP

Mortar Section Leader
Fire Support • Support Operations

When the mortar element is operating independently from direct combat elements, commands and coordinates up to three mortar teams as a cohesive mortar section. Responsible for planning and executing fire missions, allocating ammunition and resources across the section, liaising with higher fire support or manoeuvre commanders, and ensuring emplacement, safety and sustainment of the teams under their control.
WIP

Artillery Cannoneer (Assistant)
Fire Support • Support Operations

Junior member of the gun crew who assists with emplacement, loading, and laying. Handles ammunition and charge preparation, helps align and sight the howitzer, operates under direction to maintain a safe, rapid rate of fire, and is typically the designated driver for towed or self-propelled pieces during moves.
WIP

Artillery Cannoneer (Gunner)
Fire Support • Support Operations

Senior cannoneer on the piece responsible for operating the elevation and traverse, laying the howitzer to fire control data, confirming sighting, and supervising loading and safety checks. Executes adjustments per fire control orders, ensures bore clear and misfire procedures are followed, and works under a Gun/Section Chief and the Battery FDC.
WIP

Artillery Section Leader
Fire Support • Support Operations

Commands and coordinates up to four guns when grouped to form an artillery section. Responsible for planning and executing battery-level fire tasks as directed by the Battery FDC, managing ammunition and servicing across the section, overseeing emplacement and movement, and ensuring safety and drill compliance for the gun crews.
WIP

Fire Support Chief
Fire Support • Support Operations

The Fire Support Chief is in charge of directing and controlling the deployment of Field Artillery batteries, Mortar Pits and associated logistics and ammunition handling of Field Artillery Assets. The Fire Support Chief leads the units Mortarmen or Cannoneers, and communicates with the ground combat elements forward Observers in order to provide timely and accurate Fire Support, as required by the ground commanders. For that reason, Fire Support Chiefs should be experienced in the assets, weapons and procedures.

Back to Overview

Return to the main handbook overview to explore other combat areas and domains.
This page generated 1.26MB in 0.1858 seconds.