Which action is NOT a responsibility of mortar units?

Mortar units are primarily tasked with providing indirect fire support, suppressing enemy observation and fire, and establishing a base of fire. These responsibilities align with their role on the battlefield, where their primary function is to deliver firepower at a distance and support infantry operations through indirect fire.

Conducting reconnaissance missions, however, falls outside the typical responsibilities of mortar units. Reconnaissance focuses on gathering information about enemy positions, movements, and terrain, which is usually the domain of specialized reconnaissance units or infantry elements rather than mortar crews. Mortar units focus on executing fire missions based on intelligence and coordination provided by those conducting reconnaissance, rather than performing the reconnaissance themselves. Thus, identifying this action as not a responsibility of mortar units highlights the distinct roles different military units play in combined operations.