New mortar system eyed for use in Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

The yet-to-be-fielded Expeditionary Fire Support System, consisting of a 120mm mortar on a trailer pulled by an Internally Transportable Vehicle, is being eyed by Marine officials for use by isolated platoons in Afghanistan.


New mortar system eyed for use in Afghanistan
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Oct 3, 2008 11:40:15 EDT

QUANTICO, Va. — A new fire support system featuring a 120mm mortar pulled on a trailer by a lightweight vehicle could play a vital role in providing isolated Marine platoons in Afghanistan the firepower they need against the Taliban, a top Marine official said.

The Expeditionary Fire Support System, a part of the Internally Transportable Vehicle program, would help grunts in units such as 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, which has platoons that are sometimes a 2½-hour drive from their battalion commander, said Brig. Gen. Ron Johnson, director of combat operations at Marine headquarters.

“We have one platoon with 64 guys that was attacked by over 150 Taliban,” Johnson said. “The fighting got so intense that a actually came through the platoon and took out the platoon sergeant and radio chief. … The only access they had to outside fire support was the aircraft above them.”

Johnson’s comments came Thursday during a briefing to about 200 defense contractors at the Modern Day Marine Military Exposition. He said he hopes to see Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 10th Marines begin training with the EFSS as soon as possible in anticipation of the Corps’ expanding presence in Afghanistan.

Johnson said after his speech that he was unsure when the EFSS would become available, but a Marine Corps Systems Command official said it could be as soon as late February or March.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/10/marine_mortarsystem_100308w/%2e