bo 3500.1n - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

BO 3500.1N
25 Mar 08
f. Removal of Increments and Powder Burning
(1) Increments removed before firing shall be placed in a metal or
wooden covered container located outside the firing position at a safe
separation distance (i.e., 25m).
(2) Powder burning shall be conducted within MPs and MFAs during FDRs
of LOW, MODERATE and HIGH. In order to reduce the potential for costly
wildland fires when the FDR is VERY HIGH or EXTREME, the unit conducting
training shall burn powder at R408 concrete pad, R218A Increment pit, AFA 31,
AFA 43, MP 1, MP 6 and MFA 14 (cleared area at R-221) only. During all
powder burning activities, powder shall be burned in areas cleared to mineral
earth, and no closer than 200 feet to vegetation. Powder shall be burned in
single or double rows not to exceed 12 inches in width with no more than 100
increments total per burn.
(3) Units shall have fire extinguishers, water and shovels at the
burn site. Units shall contact LONGRIFLE for permission prior to burning.
Units shall remain at the burn site for thirty (30) minutes after the last
burn to ensure no fires have been started in the surrounding vegetation.
g. Calculated Safety Information. The RSO shall verify to the OIC of
the firing unit lay of gun line, FDC fire control (Plotting boards and/or
MBC), and each Gun “SAFETY T” for each charge to be fired in that position.
h. Calculated Firing Data. After the Fire Direction Center calculates
the firing data from the call for fire requests, the RSO shall check it
against the appropriate “SAFETY T,” to ensure the data placed on the mortar
is safe. Only then will rounds be fired.
2. Procedures for Firing from Mortar Positions
a. Authorized Mortar Positions. The RCO shall catalog the authorized
data cards and SDZs for authorized mortar positions use by units conducting
mortar fire aboard Camp Pendleton.
b. Scheduling. All mortar positions shall be scheduled through the
Range Scheduling Office prior to conducting training. Scheduling requests
shall be completed per paragraph 3002 in Chapter 3 of the current BO P3500.1
to include the DODICs of all ammunition to be fired. Ammunition not listed on
the approved scheduling request shall not be fired.
c. Special Instructions. Information regarding the conduct of firing is
contained in the ammo can attached to a pole at each mortar position/MFA. The
ammo can contains a SDZ diagram with appropriate safety data (left-right
azimuth, target area, min-max range of the target area), along with RSO
instructions, regulations, and a red flag.
d. SDZ Diagram Construction. When firing is desired outside the SDZ
provided for each mortar position, firing units shall construct a SDZ diagram
per directives in the MCO 3570 series and submit to RCO for approval.
e. Target Area. The target area, as depicted in the SDZ diagram, and
the MAX ORD of the ammunition to be fired, will be communicated to LONGRIFLE
prior to the unit requesting a hot status.
D-7