What is one of the primary responsibilities of a Gunner?

A primary responsibility of a Gunner in a mortar crew is to manipulate the sight and lay the mortar. This task is crucial because it directly impacts the accuracy and effectiveness of the mortar fire. The Gunner must have a thorough understanding of the principles of trajectory, distance, and adjustments needed based on environmental conditions to ensure the weapon system is properly set up for target engagement. This involves calculating range and elevation adjustments and carefully aligning the sight to ensure that the mortar rounds land accurately on the designated targets.

While maintaining the ammunition supply, assisting in cleaning, and preparing and inspecting mortar rounds are important tasks within the broader operations of a mortar team, they do not encompass the primary role of a Gunner. Instead, the Gunner's specific focus is on the operation and aiming of the mortar itself, which is vital for successful mission execution.