We set up an OE254 antenna outside the facility which connected the battalion fires cell in the simulator inside the facility with the observers and mortar
fire direction center (FDC) on the live-fire range.
His gunner, CPL Hobbs, echoed back their call sign, "One-Two, fire mission." The
fire direction center (FDC) called over the radio "One-Two, you're primary." Marcoux couldn't have asked for a better crew that day.
What the course focuses on, however, is the constant modernization of the
fire direction center. The FDC is the brains of the mortar section.
An important part of preparing to counter a stand-off attack is for the unit to conduct detailed and realistic rehearsals of actions to be taken by leaders,
fire direction center personnel, and mortar crews.
We would man each section with two
fire direction center personnel, two gunners, and two ammunition bearers.
The 11C Soldiers conduct their own MOS-specific tasks such as the tactical employment of the infantry mortar platoon, fire support planning, forward observation procedures,
fire direction center procedures, maintenance, and survey techniques.
The M96 MFCS is used in the
fire direction center (FDC) and consists primarily of the commander's interface computer.
During grid missions, the observer often does not send the OT direction, and the
fire direction center (FDC) must request it from the observer or, in the case with mortars, default to the gun target (GT) line.
If approved, the mission is sent to a mortar unit's
fire direction center (FDC).