148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery
| 148 (Meiktila) Battery Royal Artillery | |
|---|---|
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Allegiance |
.svg){kind=small} Hon East India Coy (till 1858) United Kingdom (post 1858) |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Artillery |
| Role | Naval Gunfire Support |
| Size | Battery |
| Part of | 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery |
| Garrison/HQ | Poole |
| Patron | Saint Barbara |
| Motto(s) | "Ubique", "Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt" (Everywhere, Where Right And Glory Lead) |
| Colors | . |
| Anniversaries | Meiktila Day 3rd March |
148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery is a specialist Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation (NGSFO) unit within 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.
The unit provides Fire Support Teams (FST - formerly called Forward Observation parties) to control and co-ordinate Naval fires (naval gunfire support, naval air delivered guided and unguided munitions) from Royal Navy and allied ships, land based air delivered munitions and artillery fire from the gun batteries of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, when ashore in support of 3 Commando Brigade. In support of this role, the battery provides FSTs to the Royal Navy when conducting training on a variety of gunnery ranges around the world.
148 Battery's FSTs comprise gunners of the Royal Artillery, already qualified members of the regiment when posted into the battery, augmented by Royal Navy communications personnel (signallers) who are required to undergo the All Arms Commando Course. All personnel within the battery are also parachute trained.
The battery is supported by a Battery Fitter Section from 29 Regiment's attached Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Workshop, also commando qualified.
The battery and its Battery Fitter Section are based at RM Poole in Dorset.
The battery is formed into a number of Fire Support Teams (FSTs), operating ashore or in advance of the Forward Edge of Battle Area, to observe and identify candidate targets, conduct preliminary Battle Damage Assessment, adjust fire or provide target illumination for laser guided weapons.
The battery consists of HQ personnel, Fire Support Teams and administrative and logistical support personnel.
FSTs consist of five men; a patrol commander (a Captain Royal Artillery), with a Bombardier RA as the second in command (2IC). The rest of the team consists of a (Royal Navy) communicator, RA Lance Bombardier, and Gunner. The team can be split in two with the Bombardier commanding one team and the Captain the other. All unit members are capable of co-ordinating air strikes and directing artillery fire.
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