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FM 6-50, MCWP 3-1.6.23 7-19. END OF MISSION The command END OF MISSION (EOM) means that the fire mission has been terminated. The howitzer sections should return to the azimuth of lay or priority target data. The SCA displays EOM for that howitzer; for example, GUN (number so-and-so) EOM. 7-20. PLANNED TARGETS a. The battery may be assigned planned targets for which current firing data must be maintained. Each target is assigned a number and each weapon is laid on its assigned priority target. In such cases, unit SOP usually designates a command or a prearranged signal to fire on the priority target, bypassing the usual sequence of fire commands. EXAMPLE Target AC7343 has been designated as a priority target. Firing data have been computed and have been transmitted to one of the firing platoons. On the command RIGHT, SUPPRESS AC7343, the right platoon engages
Target AC7343 with the previously arranged method of b. In defensive operations, the command FIRE THE FPF causes the firing battery to fire the final protective fires on which it is laid. 7-21. REPETITION AND CORRECTION OF FIRE COMMANDS a. One section (normally the adjusting piece) of the firing unit should be designated to read back all voice fire commands to ensure that the howitzer sections have received the fire commands correctly. When a command has not been heard or has been misunderstood, the request for repetition is stated as a question; for example, DEFLECTION NUMBER 2? When the FDC replies, the repetition of a command is always preceded by NUMBER (so-and-so), THE COMMAND WAS; for example, NUMBER 2, THE COMMAND WAS
DEFLECTION 2768. If an incorrect command has been given, but the command QUADRANT has not been announced, the FDC commands CORRECTION followed by the correct command and all subsequent elements. If QUADRANT has been announced, the FDC commands CHECK FIRING, CANCEL CHECK FIRING is announced followed by the corrected element and all subsequent elements. 7-22. FIRING REPORTS The section chief reports to the FDC all actions that affect the firing of his weapon in support of the battery mission. During firing, the following specific reports are made: a. When the special instruction DO NOT LOAD has been commanded by the FDC the section chief reports LAID, NUMBER (so-and-so). This report is sent when the projectile, charge, and fuze (if applicable) have been prepared; the howitzer has been laid for deflection; and the quadrant
(or loading elevation) has been set. When the special instruction AT MY COMMAND or BY PIECE (or BY ROUND) AT MY COMMAND has been commanded by the FDC, the section chief reports by voice READY, NUMBER (so-and-so). This report is sent when the section is ready to fire (in compliance with the fire command). The report is sent digitally by pressing the
READY key on the SCA. In voice operations, SHOT NUMBER (so-and-so) is reported after each round has been fired. If, however, the method of fire is more than one round, SHOT is announced only after the initial round. For GDU-equipped howitzers, the report is sent digitally when the section chief presses the SHOT/RC key once on the SCA. d. ROUNDS COMPLETE NUMBER (so-and-so) is announced when the final round designated in the method of fire has been fired. If, however, only one round is to be fired, ROUNDS COMPLETE will not be reported after SHOT. For GDU-equipped howitzers, the report of rounds complete (RC) is sent when the SHOT/RC key on the SCA is pressed a second time. For a GDU-equipped howitzer to receive subsequent fire commands in any mission, rounds
complete must be transmitted to the FDC. is announced when
a misfire has occurred (voice only). Ammunition status is reported. The number of rounds expended, by type and lot number, is reported when requested
by the FDC (voice or per unit SOP). Data fired in error are reported. The chief of section reports to FDC the actual data fired in error; for example, NUMBER 2 FIRED DEFLECTION (so much). 7-23. STANDARDIZING ELEMENTS OF THE FIRE COMMAND Certain elements of fire commands may be standardized after the tactical situation, weapon, and personnel capabilities, ammunition status, and enemy counterfire threat have been considered. As shown in Table 7-1, the following elements of the fire command may be designated as standard: pieces to follow, pieces to fire, method of fire, projectile, ammunition lot, and fuze. If the FDO decides to vary from fire command standard data, he must administratively cancel the existing standard and issue the replacement standard data. Only one set of standard data can be in effect at any particular time. 7-7 |