Did you go through mortar fire unit evaluation at Grafenwoehr training area? If so how many times?

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 17:28:04 -0400

During the Cold War, 1/52 IN usually went to Grafenwoehr training area for annual gunnery including 81mm and 4.2 in training and evaluation in the 1980s.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 30 at 2015 5:28 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 17:28:57 -0400

Annually from 1981 through 1983

Response by SGT Michael Hamrac, MBA, MRP, GRI, REALTOR® made May 1 at 2015 3:07 AM

SGT Michael Hamrac, MBA, MRP, GRI, REALTOR® — Fri, 01 May 2015 03:07:23 -0400

I was mechanized in a Tanker Unit out of Baumholder. If I remember correctly, our primary mission was to fire illumination on the battlefield for tanks. However, we did train with HE and WP.... I believe we were evaluated in Grafenwehr. Never saw another 81mm after basic.

Response by SFC Jacob Hinkkanen made May 4 at 2015 12:32 PM

SFC Jacob Hinkkanen — Mon, 04 May 2015 12:32:05 -0400

When I was in the 173rd between 2002-2005 we went twice a year, minus deployments, to Graf. Good times were had by all. We fired 81mm mostly until we received the 120mm ground mounted mortar.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 12 at 2015 10:17 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:17:38 -0400

Does anybody have any pictures of mortar training or firing at Graf that they would be willing to post here?
I remember the wild boar that would come out with their piglets at night to rummage through what was left of our meal/rations at the mortar firing site(s) on the ridge line. One fall, we were shelled by short rounds from a 155mm battery firing from the low ground behind us. The rounds hit the trees while many soldiers were waiting in a staggered line to get the afternoon warm meal. Thankfully nobody was hit by the shrapnel.

CSM Ricky F Burts Burts

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Mar 24 at 2016 4:27 PM

PVT Robert Gresham — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:27:54 -0400

From 85-88 and 89-91 I spent quite a few days and nights on the Graf mortar ranges.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 24 at 2016 5:02 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:02:25 -0400

I never went to Grafenwoehr for mortar training, LTC Stephen F.. Also, this is the only photo that I have of me on any mortar (M30, 4.2") of any kind. It was taken at the heavy weapons FTX for the Weapons NCO Supervisor Candidate Special Forces Course (SF weapons MOS) at Fort Bragg, NC in AUG70.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Mar 24 at 2016 9:15 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 21:15:03 -0400

I was in the 78th Engineering Battalion. Never went to Graf.

Response by SPC Michael Dunton made Jul 25 at 2016 10:27 PM

SPC Michael Dunton — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 22:27:58 -0400

Here are a couple of pictures of me and the crew at Grefenwehr,I am the one holding the mortar round

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 4:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 16:28:21 -0400

No, but I received incoming on a different range. Does that count?