What should be checked for during pre-fire safety checks other than the cannon and bipod?

Pre-fire safety checks are critical to ensure the safety of the mortar team and the effectiveness of the operation. Checking for mask and overhead clearance is essential because it involves assessing the area above and around the mortar position to ensure there are no obstructions that could interfere with the flight of the round or pose a risk to personnel. This includes confirming that there’s enough space for the projectile to travel safely and that there aren’t any potential hazards, such as branches or buildings, that could obstruct the trajectory or cause dangerous ricochets.

While other factors such as weather conditions, target accuracy, and camouflage are important considerations in a mortar operation, they do not directly address the immediate physical safety of firing the mortar. Weather can affect the trajectory and effectiveness of the rounds; target accuracy is vital for mission success; and camouflage plays a role in concealment from the enemy, but they do not impact the immediate, physical safety checks that must occur before firing the weapon. Hence, thorough checks for mask and overhead clearance are vital to ensure that all potential safety hazards have been accounted for prior to firing.