Missouri infantry fires mortars for the first time since the 1970s

By: Johnathan Lemons
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs

Spc. Ray Baker and Pvt. 1st Class William A. Dzula fire a round from a 120mm mortar during drill at Fort Riley, Kan.
Mortarmen from the 1/138th Infantry Regiment fire a round from the 120mm mortar during drill at Fort Riley, Kan.
FORT RILEY, Kan. - "Hanging on two," yells one mortar men.

The rest of the mortar crew repeats his cry.

"Fire!" yells someone from the fire direction control (FDC).

The 120mm mortar round slides down the tube, ignites and flies into the overcast sky. This first round was more than just a part of the live fire exercise - it was a historic moment for the Missouri National Guard.

"This live fire was the first time the Missouri National Guard has fired mortars since 1974," said 1st Lt. John Breeden, mortar platoon leader, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment. "As the only mortar platoon in the state, our mission is truly unique. We act as the only organic indirect fire element for 1/138th. Over the weekend, we validated over a year of training by engaging targets at Fort Riley. We brought our battalion one step closer to being a fully trained fighting force."

The weekend drill was just one step in a long training cycle to get the whole battalion up to speed for this summer's annual training.

"Our primary focus for annual training will be mortar crew drills and practice missions with our FDC," said Breeden. "Over this weekend, we validated over a year of training by engaging targets at Fort Riley. We brought our battalion one step closer to being a fully trained fighting force."

During the coming months, the mortar crew and fire direction control truck will focus on these crew drills that will improve their efficiency.

"Mortar crew drills are critical to the platoon's success," said Breeden. "The faster the gun squads can have a gun ready to fire the faster you can put rounds downrange and engage targets. The faster the FDC can compute the mission, make corrections, and produce firing data for the gun line, the less time it takes to get rounds on the targets."

For one Kansas City, Mo, native, this drill weekend will helped him sharpen skills gained before he joined the Missouri National Guard.

"I was a mortarmen years ago in the Marine Corps," Spc. John Ross, mortar crew member. "After I left the Marines, I didn't know if I would get to hang rounds again. I missed it. I felt a little rusty at the start of the day, but everything started to come back to me when we starting putting rounds down range."



The unit had some help from other area National Guard units. Capt. Larry Nannamen of 1st Battalion, 129th Field Artillery, Maryville, Mo, and Capt. Bryan Gregory and Sgt. 1st Class William Pushee of 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, Kansas National Guard, were on hand to offer their advice.

"I was truly impressed by the level of professionalism and enthusiasm displayed by the men of the mortar platoon," said Gregory. "It was a pleasure working with them. If this is any indicator of the caliber of Soldiers in Missouri, the 138th has a bright future ahead of it."


The 1/138th is still looking for troops that interested in serving in the infantry. For more information, contact the battalion human resources office at (816) 911-5031.