TM-9-2350-311-10 M109 Operator's Manual for M109A2, M109A3, M109A4 and M109A5 Download
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TM 9-2350-311-10 2–18 PREPARATION FOR MOVEMENT (*MARCH ORDER) Procedure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 March order and preparation of howitzer for travel is accomplished under supervision of chief of section. When movement is ordered, chief of section commands “MARCH ORDER.” To prevent injury to personnel, projectiles and fuzes that have been rammed and then removed from cannon tube must not be reloaded and fired. They must be turned over to authorized personnel for destruction or demilitarization. Only an M712 projectile that has been rammed and extracted from a cold cannon tube may be reused. Chief of section inspects chamber to see that howitzer is not loaded, supervises work of section, checks all ammunition not fired that has been prepared for firing before it is replaced in containers. Chief of section checks that powder increments prepared for firing are present in proper condition, are of same lot number as container, and are assembled in proper numeric order. Chief of section checks all time/proximity fuzes that have been set to see that they are reset to SAFE, and that eyebolt lifting plugs are replaced on all projectiles. Chief of section also checks that supplementary propelling charges that have been withdrawn are replaced and that grommets have been replaced on rotating bands of all projectiles not stored inside howitzer. Gunner covers vials on M145/M145A1 telescope mount, and turns panoramic telescope ballistic cover to face rear of cab, and secures and locks it. Assistant gunner covers vials on range quadrant. Cannoneer no. 1 secures power rammer, closes breechblock, replaces unused primers in traveling compartment, secures swab and cleaning materials, and places vent and primer seat cleaning tools in oddment tray. Cannoneer no. 2 places fuzes in containers and places them in stowage boxes. Cannoneer no. 3 checks that projectiles are ready for loading, all fuzes are removed, and lifting plugs and grommets are replaced. The ammunition team chief assists in reloading ammunition and section equipment. Ammunition team chief recovers, disassembles, and hands M1A2 aiming posts to driver for storage. Ammunition team chief secures communication equipment and replaces muzzle cover. Driver disassembles and secures rammer cleaning staff sections, secures M1A2 aiming posts and other Bll, and closes M42 periscope cover. * Standardized procedures for march orders are identified with an asterisk (*) preceding the title. 2-269