Mustangs and Ukrainians improve mortar skills

YAVORIV, Ukraine -­ Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division trained with Ukrainian Soldiers during mortar live­-fire training exercise here, August 29.

Mortar weapons serve different purposes in combat and they are mainly used to suppress, destroy or neutralize area or point targets, obscure areas with smoke and provide illumination. The mortar platoon's mission is to provide accurate and timely indirect fire support for maneuver battalions and companies. Indirect fire teams must be trained to quickly execute effective fire missions.

"The Ukrainians shot indirect fires with us for the first time," said Cpl. Cory Redd, a mortarman with 6­-8 Cav. "We have it set up to where we are shooting a target that we can not see and relying on the Ukrainian FOs (Forward Observers)."

According to Sgt. Craig Dockery, a mortarman with 6-­8 Cav, forward observers are also known as fire support specialists. They are there to set up and operate communications systems, confirm, determine target locations and assist with fire support plans.

Mortars are normally placed in a covered position to protect them from enemy direct fire and observation, and to take the greatest advantage of their indirect fire role. The Ukrainians used a fortified position offering protection from enemy gun fire during the training.

Soldiers of 6-­8 Cav observed how the Ukrainians conduct their mortar fire drill to see what skills they need to improve and how to best assist them during the training exercise.

Redd said, the Ukrainians do a lot of double checking which is good. Mortars are an area weapon, they had to help the Ukraine Soldiers understand that they do not have to be right on top of every target with every round they hit. They can hit around the target as well to achieve the desired effect.

"This training will improve their mortar firing skills so they can accurately and quickly engage any target using direct or indirect fires," said Dockery.

Mustang Soldiers said the Ukrainians have been very receptive to everything that they showed them during the training. They have combined what they already knew with what U.S. Soldiers taught them and their Soldiers were very motivated throughout the whole exercise.

"We have gotten close to the guys out here. The partnership with the Ukrainians has been awesome. As far as the bond and being friends with their Soldiers, everything is going great," said Redd.

6­-8 CAV is deployed in support of Joint Multinational Training Group-­Ukraine whose mission focuses on building a sustainable and enduring training capacity and capability within the Ukrainian land forces.