Infantry members hone mortar skills at Canadian Forces Base Shilo.

It’s not often you see infantry milling about the gunline at Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba, but that’s exactly what was going on during a three-week mortar detachment member course run in June 2018 by 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA). Second Lieutenant Ryan Bartlette, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group, reports.

Lieutenant Kevin Little (right) of 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, instructs an infantry soldier on how to adjust the sight of an 81-mm mortar system during a training session in June 2018 at Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba. Photo: Second Lieutenant Ryan Bartlette, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group (Picture source: DND/MDN Canada)

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI), were there because the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has determined that indirect fire support is a capability that should be integral to light infantry battalions. Indirect fire support is provided by mortars and other weapons systems that can be fired from cover without direct sightlines to the target. The mortar can be taken apart and carried by a crew. It can be strapped to a parachutist to deliver it to a location, unlike other larger artillery systems.

When the ramp dropped on the A Battery, 1 RCHA Commander’s Light Armoured Vehicle and I joined the course, I couldn’t help but notice all the tattooed Patricia cap badges adorning the hands in the meal line-up. They belonged to soldiers of 3 PPCLI, who were joined by Reservists from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Calgary Highlanders. By all accounts, the infantry soldiers were excited to have this indirect fire capability back.

The 81-mm mortar has been a staple of the artillery corps for several years. The 81-mm’s flexibility and versatility are highly regarded among the artillery faithful, and I can’t imagine it being any different for our infantry colleagues. Its ability to provide a high volume of fire at relatively close range serves well to get the blood pumping. The extra weight of a base plate or tri-pack of mortar shells certainly won’t stop an airborne company from completing their mission.