Chapter 2. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS - TM-9-6920-361-13-P0019

TM 9-6920-361-13&P

CHAPTER 2

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Section I. PREPARATION FOR OPERATION

2-1. General. The amount of time spent in preparation

(2) Figure 2-1 represents the "worst case"

greatly determines the amount of benefit the unit will

for soft or medium soil conditions. If the area for the

derive from training with the M31. Certain preparations

proposed surface danger zone is limited, the exact

must be made in order to get maximum benefit from the

dimensions for all surface conditions can be determined

equipment in the training kits. Your unit must construct a

by using table 2-1 in conjunction with figure 2-2. For

miniature range, develop a special map, and instruct

example, if the maximum range to be fired was 500

personnel on the use of the equipment. The more

meters, and the impact area was composed of soft soil,

thorough the preparation, the better your training will be.

the surface danger area would extend 580 meters

downrange and the lateral buffer zone would be 25

2-2. Constructing a Firing Range.

meters outside of the right and left deflection limits as

shown in figure 2-3.

a. Select a Range Site. The first step is the

selection of a range site. Commanders may authorize

M31 trainer firing on permanent firing ranges or in other

approved training areas--when such firing is conducted

in accordance with safety requirements which will be

discussed later. The terrain should be slightly rolling.

Otherwise, rounds can be lost in deep ditches, behind

large mounds, or in exceptionally tall (higher than six

inches) grass or weeds.

b. Types of Ranges. Permanent, semipermanent,

and temporary ranges can be constructed.

Their

characteristics are:

(1) Permanent range. A permanent range

is one which is used only for 14.5-mm firing. The

targets, reference points, firing point markers,

observation posts, and other manmade objects are

Figure 2-1. Surface danger zone

permanently emplaced and marked. Most military posts

have sufficient area to accommodate one or more such

ranges.

(2) Semipermanent. A semipermanent

range is one which must be shared with other training

activities or operations, such as known distance rifle

range, drill field or temporary landing field. The targets,

reference points, etc., must be removed after use and all

reference stakes which mark the location of these items

must be at or below ground level. The unit can use the

range on a scheduled basis.

(3) Temporary range. A temporary range is

one which is used by the unit on a one-time basis (e.g.,

one day or one weekend) and is normally on private

property such as a meadow, field, or pasture.

c. Surface Danger Zone.

Figure 2-2. For determining the exact surface

(1) The dimensions of the surface danger

danger area required (Charge 1 only)

zone are dependent on the nature of the firing and the

type of surface conditions present within the surface

danger zone.

2-1