Armor Magazine Compiled Tdes

Tactical Vignette 97-1 “The Battle of Durango Valley”

The tactical vignette is a training tool for tactical decision-making during mission execution. The Marines have long WHAT’S used similar vignettes, which they call Tactical Decision Games (TDG), in the YOUR Marine Corps Gazette as an efficient and inexpensive exercise for leaders at all NEXT levels. An article detailing the uses of the TDG can be found in the May-June MOVE?? 1997 issue of ARMOR. The following tactical vignette serves as the first in a series of scenarios devel- scouts report they have identified the oped by the Doctrine Division of the AGMB north of Hill 560 moving east Requirement: U.S. Army Armor Center. Readers are toward CP 4. encouraged to send their solutions for the tactical vignette to ARMOR as a You suddenly realize that the element In 2 minutes or less, make your de- means of discussion and instruction. The identified by 1st Platoon must be the cision and issue your FRAGO and author’s solution, along with several of FSE and that it is probably deploying to any other reports you would submit. the best solutions from the field, will be engage the task force from Hill 110. You Readers wanting to submit their solu- published in a subsequent issue of the attempt to contact the task force com- tions to the scenario should provide magazine. mander but receive no response. The last the following: Fragmentary order to transmission with the task force had the company team, the rationale be- them approximately 15 minutes out from hind your decision, and a sketch of Situation: CP 2. Based on the scout’s last report, your plan of action. Mail your solution You are the commander of A Team the AGMB is 20 minutes from CP 4. It (tank heavy), TF 2-8. You are the ad- will take you 9-10 minutes to move to ARMOR, ATTN: ATZK-TDM, Fort vance guard company (AGC) of the TF northeast to engage the FSE or 11-12 Knox, KY 40121-5210 or send your as it conducts a movement to contact. minutes to move northwest to intercept solution by e-mail to: The brigade commander wants the task the AGMB. You must act now! What do [email protected] force to find, fix, and destroy the ad- you do? vance guard of an MRR that is moving east. This will allow the rest of the brigade to maneuver and destroy the regimental main body, with enough combat power left to block the second-echelon MRR. The task force commander directs the AGC to find, fix, and destroy the FSE allowing the task force main body to maneuver into the flank of the AGMB. Your team consists of two M1A1 tank platoons and one mechanized infantry, (BFV) platoon. An engineer platoon and the mortar platoon follow in support; you have priority of mortars. Your team is moving on an axis south of the task force based on an erroneous report that the FSE was at CP 8. The terrain is mostly open desert flanked by mountains, with some high terrain in the center of the zone. As you approach the intersection at CP 6, your 1st Platoon reports seeing approximately 20 vehicles moving east and starting to deploy vicinity CP 2. A moment later, task force THE PROBLEM: “The Battle of Durango Valley” - from the September-October issue of ARMOR

Situation:

You are the commander of A Team (tank heavy), TF 2-8. You are the advance guard company (AGC) of the TF as it conducts a movement to contact. The brigade commander wants the task force to find, fix, and destroy the advance guard of an MRR that is moving east. This will allow the rest of the brigade to maneuver and destroy the regimental main body, with enough combat power left to block the second-echelon MRR. The task force commander directs the AGC to find, fix, and destroy the FSE allowing the task force main body to maneuver into the flank of the AGMB. Your team consists of two M1A1 tank platoons and one mechanized infantry, (BFV) platoon. An engineer platoon and the mortar platoon follow in support; you have priority of mortars. Your team is moving on an axis south of the task force based on an erroneous report that the FSE was at CP 8. The terrain is mostly You suddenly realize that the element identified by 1st Platoon must be open desert flanked by mountains, with some high ter- the FSE and that it is probably deploying to engage the task force from rain in the center of the zone. As you approach the Hill 110. You attempt to contact the task force commander but receive no intersection at CP 6, your 1st Platoon reports seeing response. The last transmission with the task force had them approxi- approximately 20 vehicles moving east and starting to mately 15 minutes out from CP 2. Based on the scout’s last report, the deploy vicinity CP 2. A moment later, task force AGMB is 20 minutes from CP 4. It will take you 9-10 minutes to move scouts report they have identified the AGMB north of northeast to engage the FSE or 11-12 minutes to move northwest to inter- Hill 560 moving east toward CP 4. cept the AGMB. You must act now! What do you do?

THE SOLUTIONS:

The following solutions pertain to the trine Division, and two solutions submit- tactical vignette, “The Battle of Durango ted by our readers. Author’s Solution Valley,” published in the September-Oc- We would like to thank those other tober issue of ARMOR. They include the readers who also submitted their solu- FRAGO: author’s solution, provided by the Doc- tions to the tactical vignette. “GUIDONS, this is BLACK 6, FRAGO follows. Situation: The enemy FSE is deploying at CP2 to engage the main body of the task force, and the AGMB is moving east toward CP4. BREAK. “Mission: We will attack by fire to fix the AGMB vicinity CP4 to allow the task force to move to a position of advantage to destroy the AGMB. “Intent: (Purpose) The purpose of our mission is to fix the AGMB to allow the task force time to move to a position of advantage and destroy the AGMB. We will accomplish this by attacking by fire from a blocking position west of CP3 oriented north and west of CP4, in effect luring the AGMB into an ‘L’-shaped ambush. (End state) The company team arrayed in attack by fire positions vicinity Hill 210, oriented to the west; the AGMB fixed vicinity CP4; and the task force maneuvering to destroy the AGMB. BREAK.

ARMOR — January-February 1998 47 Tasks to subordinate units: “RED (MECH), move to the intervisi- bility line vicinity grid 135454, oriented north. Task: Attack by fire from a blocking position, orienting fires from TRP1 to CP4. Purpose: To protect the company team’s flank, denying enemy movement toward the south. Be prepared to shift fires to the west, oriented on CP8. Move dismounts to vicinity grid 130451 (Hill 560) to block enemy dismounted avenues of approach. BREAK. “WHITE, move to grid 140456 west of CP3, oriented north. Task: Attack by may fix the task force, allowing the fire from a blocking position, orienting AGMB to maneuver on it. Our dilemma SOLUTION B fires on CP4. Purpose: To prevent the is whether we should attempt to destroy (Submitted by MAJ John Allen and enemy from maneuvering to the north. the FSE or move to fix the AGMB. We CPT(P) Donald Barnett, Doctrine Writ- BREAK. do not have the time or the combat ers, Combined Arms Doctrine Director- “BLUE, move to grid 145473 north of power to accomplish both. I decided to ate, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) CP3, oriented west. Task: Attack by fire establish a blocking position and attrit the AGMB before it has time to develop from a blocking position, orienting fires FRAGO: from CP4 to TRP1. Purpose: To prevent the situation and maneuver against the the enemy from maneuvering north. task force. “RED and WHITE (MECH) will oc- BREAK. cupy attack by fire positions west of I moved the mechanized infantry to CP1, on Hill 230 oriented on CP2. Fix “MORTARS, move to grid 145442. high ground, oriented northwest, to provide greater range for their TOWs as and/or destroy the FSE vicinity CP2. Task: Disrupt the AGMB with BREAK. HE/smoke. Purpose: Disrupt the en- they establish their blocking position. emy’s formations, giving us a direct fire Red’s dismounts will block enemy dis- “BLUE, along with BLACK 5, will oc- advantage by forcing him to button up mounted avenues of approach. I posi- cupy Hill 210 vicinity CP3, oriented on and disperse. BREAK. tioned the tank platoons along Hill 210, CP4. Observe approach of the AGMB, fixing the enemy from the east and de- and cover hasty minefield emplacement “FIST, move to a position vicinity CP3 nying him movement north or south. We vicinity CP6. Engage the lead company to regain communications with the task should be able to accomplish the mission of the AGMB between CPs 4 and 6. De- force and call for fires against the of fixing the AGMB with accurate direct lay the lead company of the AGMB for AGMB. You have priority of fires. fires. I had the XO provide security for 10 minutes or withdraw under direct “BLACK 5, provide protection for the the FIST to regain communications with pressure. Move now. BREAK. higher and keep an eye on the actions of FIST. Assist in calling for and adjusting “DIGGER (ENG) will emplace a hasty fires. Observe location and movement of the FSE. minefield at CP6; intent is to delay the FSE. Regain contact with higher and re- Both the company FIST and the mor- lead company of AGMB from moving port. BREAK. tars are in a position to support the com- eastward from CP6 to CP5, allowing “SAPPER (ENG), move to vicinity grid pany fight. The engineers are positioned BLUE more engagement time. BREAK. 132424. Task: Provide flank security, to reinforce the blocking position and observe the southern avenue of ap- “FIST, use mortars to suppress the FSE oriented on CP8. Purpose: Provide vicinity CP2; plan to suppress the lead early warning of enemy forces moving proach. company of the AGMB using targets vi- on southern avenue of approach. Even though my mission to find, fix, cinity CP4 and CP6. Plan for a smoke BREAK. and destroy the FSE has essentially target between CP3 and CP6 to screen “BLACK 7, move trains to a hide posi- failed, the brigade commander’s intent BLUE’s withdrawal. DIGGER will in- tion near Hill 230, west of CP6; be pre- for the task force was to find, fix, and form BLACK 5 and FIST of minefield pared to execute MEDEVAC. AC- destroy the AGMB. By fixing the grids. BREAK. KNOWLEDGE, OVER.” AGMB, we are disrupting the enemy’s plan, providing time for the task force to “MORTARS will emplace vicinity grid destroy the FSE and still gain a position 123456 southwest of Hill 230 and return fire within 10 minutes. BREAK. RATIONALE: of advantage to destroy the AGMB. Al- though we have not achieved our origi- “FIST, DIGGER, and BLACK 7 will Our mission was to find, fix, and de- nal task, the task force still has a shot at immediately contact higher to report our stroy the FSE, but it has bypassed us and winning. intent. BLACK 7, attempt to regain con-

48 ARMOR — January-February 1998 tact with battalion by either FM or face to face. ACKNOWLEDGE, OVER.”

Rationale: The company will maneuver north to fix and, preferably, destroy the FSE. This is in keeping with the commander’s intent: preventing the FSE from fixing or turning the battalion prior to CP2 while exercising the initiative to destroy the enemy force. The commander feels he can destroy the FSE because he is on its southern flank. The BLUE platoon is pushed forward to Hill 210 to gain observation of the AGMB and to delay the AGMB if it continues straight or south bound to the left of WHITE. Prepare to the enemy chooses to follow the road at CP4. If the AGMB goes northeast, the cover the company’s displacement. (an obvious axis of approach). Should he battalion can then attack its flank from turn south, the company will reposition CP2 to CP10. “MORTARS and FIST, CP4 is target before the enemy is close enough to AB1001. Tanks and BMPs in the open. If the AGMB continues straight, the Fire as the first enemy vehicles pass bring accurate and deadly direct fires. battalion can flank it by attacking from CP4. FIST is the primary shooter. RED One probable reason for the loss of CP9 south, or it can attack from CP5 to is the alternate. commo is that we have gone too far and CP3 or CP6, then turn north. If the are now outside the TF’s primary AGMB goes south (most likely because “ENGINEERS, begin digging hasty, hull-down fighting positions vic grid SINCGARS range. Switching to the re- of the expected demise of the FSE), the trans frequency will probably restore enemy will be delayed trying to negoti- 122455, oriented west. commo. If I can restore commo, I will ate the minefield and defeat the BLUE “GUIDONS, on order, the company will send a spot report and SITREP to the TF platoon on Hill 210. This delay gives the shift south, with left-most platoon vicin- commander or TOC (whomever I can battalion commander the option to by- ity CP6. We will orient on CP4. BLUE contact). pass remnants of the FSE at CP2 and at- will cover the company’s move. AC- tack the flank of the AGMB from CP3 KNOWLEDGE, OVER.” and/or CP4. Of course, to make any of this work, the AGC must regain contact with the battalion! RATIONALE: The commander’s intent was for the company to find, fix, and destroy the SOLUTION C FSE, but with the enemy AGMB coming toward me and the FSE behind me, this Budget Cut Eliminates (Submitted by 1LT Daniel T. Head, XO, is no longer practical. The task force Knox Doctrine Home Page HHC, 2nd BDE, Fort Stewart, Georgia) should be able to deal with the FSE, es- ...and “Issues in ARMOR” FRAGO: pecially if I can reestablish communica- “GUIDONS, this is BLACK 6. Prob- tions. A hasty attack on the FSE leaves able enemy AGMB spotted vicinity grid me open to attack from the rear by the AGMB as well as to friendly fire from Fort Knox’s Directorate of 123445. Will arrive at CP4 in approxi- Training and Doctrine Devel- mately 20 minutes. my own task force as they engage the FSE. opment (DTDD) has declined “WHITE (MECH), set vicinity grid to renew the Entelechy, Inc. 124678; orient from CP4 left. Engage I would set my company on the north- contract that originally created enemy vehicles with TOWs when they west side of Hill 210 (on the reverse the Doctrine Home Page, opt- reach CP4. Do not dismount. slope in turret-down positions) in a hasty ing to use the resources else- defense oriented on CP4. A tank com- where. “RED, set to the right of WHITE; ori- pany in the defense is a match for an ent on CP4. Engage enemy once three AGMB in a direct fire fight. If I can suc- The cutback also impacts the vehicles are past CP4. cessfully fix, delay, and destroy most or ARMOR Magazine Internet presentation, “Issues in AR- “BLUE, set to the right of RED; orient all of the AGMB, the task force will be able to destroy the FSE and then move MOR,” which was part of that from CP4 right. Engage once enemy is home page. 1,000 meters past CP4. Watch CP2 for on to destroy the AGMB piecemeal. possible enemy or friendly activity. En- This plan allows the company to ensure positive ID before firing. Prepare to gage the AGMB from a hasty defense if

ARMOR — January-February 1998 49 Tactical Vignette 97-2 “Ambush at Dogwood Crossing”

Situation WHAT’S YOUR Terrain (see Fig. 2, Battalion graphics) Obstacles - Dogwood Creek is a natural NEXT obstacle which will restrict tactical MOVE?? movement because it offers only three fording sites within the area of operation. Avenues of Approach - Axis California is a high speed avenue of approach that 2-3 kilometers forward of its main de- Friendly. will allow maneuver to be masked by fensive belt (along PL Yorktown) to pro- the high ground nearby and the wood vide early warning and call for indirect Brigade line to the east of CP 5. Route Kayla is a fire to harass enemy maneuver. The Mission: 1st Brigade attacks in zone dismounted avenue of approach that pro- CSOP is an MRP which is reinforced 230630SEP97 to destroy enemy forces vides outstanding cover and concealment with a tank. vicinity OBJ Amanda in order to allow up to CP 6. Occupation of CP 6 will allow dismounts to engage suspected enemy armored vehicles to their flank, causing disruption to the enemy COA. Key Terrain - Dogwood Creek is key terrain since the creek can restrict or impede friendly maneuver. The ridge line on PL Yorktown is key terrain because it affords outstanding observation to the north, which will provide an advantage to friendly or enemy forces. Observation and Fields of Fire - The ridge line along PL Yorktown provides great observation and fields of fire because it is the high ground that dominates the terrain within the area of operation. Cover and Concealment - The high ground near CP 5 and the wood line to the east of CP 5 provide great cover and concealment as friendly forces maneuver along Axis California. Enemy. The enemy is conducting a defense out of contact. The 13th MRD has deployed a forward detachment (MRB) ahead of the division to secure a key logistical site five kilometers north of PL Yorktown (airfield). The forward detachment has been establishing hasty fighting positions and protective obstacles for the last 24 hours in preparation for the arrival of the main body within the next 12 hours. Our task force (TF 1) will attack against an MRC (along PL Enterprise) that the forward detachment has deployed forward to provide early warning and to disrupt and attrit enemy forces that enter their engagement area. The MRC is currently at 70% strength. The MRC has been identified by a UAV that flew over their positions two hours ago. The defending MRC deployed a CSOP Figure 1. Brigade Graphics.

ARMOR — November-December 1997 53 2nd Brigade (the division’s main effort) to maintain freedom of maneuver as they attack north to seize key logistical site vicinity OBJ Brittany. Intent: (Purpose) The purpose of this attack is to allow 2nd Brigade to attack north maintaining freedom of maneuver to seize the airport vicinity of OBJ Brit- tany. The airport allows the division to provide more responsive logistical support within the area of operation. We will accomplish this mission by conducting an attack with three TFs attacking abreast, enveloping enemy forces from the east and west. This will prevent the enemy from massing fires, forcing him to fight in three directions. (End state). At end state, enemy destroyed in zone vicinity OBJ Amanda allowing 2nd Brigade to maintain freedom of maneuver as they attack north to seize OBJ Brittany (see Figure 1. Brigade Graphics). Tasks to Maneuver Units: TF 1 - Task: Seize OBJ Kara Purpose: allow 1st Brigade to maintain freedom of maneuver to destroy enemy forces vicinity OBJ Amanda. On order, continue the attack north to destroy enemy in zone to LOA New York Responsible for triggering brigade artillery target AB1002. Priority of artillery up to PL Enterprise TF 2 - Task: (Brigade main effort) Seize Figure 2. Battalion Graphics. OBJ (Amanda #1) Purpose: To protect 1st Brigade’s western flank enemy MRC 1 from the west. (End Lift your fires as TM A fires one green Responsible for triggering brigade artil- state) At end state, OBJ Kara has been start cluster as they pass PL Enterprise lery target AB1000. Priority of artillery seized, and TF conducting consolidation Support force during TF breaching op- at PL Enterprise and reorganization operations in prepara- erations TF3 - Task: (brigade supporting effort) tion to continue the attack north to LOA Responsible for triggering mortar targets Seize OBJ (Amanda #3) New York. AB001 and AB003 Purpose: To protect 1st Brigade’s east- Initial priority of fires up to PL York- ern flank Tasks to Maneuver Units: town Responsible for triggering brigade artil- TM A - Task: (TF main effort) Seize TM C - Task: lery target AB1001 OBJ Kara. Breach Purpose: Prevent MRC 1 from attacking Purpose: To clear a lane for TM A’s at- Task Force 1 into the flank of TF 2 or TF 3 tack to seize OBJ Kara Assault force during TF breaching op- Attached assault and obstacle platoon ef- Mission: TF 1 attacks in zone along fective immediately Axis California 230630SEP97 to destroy erations Responsible for firing one green start Responsible for identifying point of enemy forces vicinity OBJ Kara in order breach to allow 1st Brigade to maintain freedom cluster at PL Enterprise to signal TM B to lift fires Detach one tank platoon to TM A effec- of maneuver and maximize its combat tive immediately power as it attacks to destroy enemy Responsible for triggering artillery tar- forces vicinity OBJ Amanda. On order, gets AB1002 and AB002 continue to attack north to LOA New Priority of fires at PL Yorktown Company Situation York, destroying enemy forces in zone. Accept one tank platoon from TM C to maximize combat power to seize OBJ Intent: (Purpose) The purpose of our Kara, effective immediately You are the commander of TM B (tank attack is to destroy enemy forces in heavy). Your team is attacking in zone as zone. This will allow 1st Brigade to TM B - Task: Support by fire part of a three-team task force attack. maintain freedom of maneuver and Purpose: To suppress enemy forces on TM B is the support force. You are re- maximize its combat power as it attacks OBJ Kara in support of TM A’s attack sponsible for establishing a support by to destroy enemy forces vicinity OBJ Occupy terrain vicinity SBF 01, which fire position (SBF 01) to suppress the Amanda. We will accomplish this mis- will provide effective suppressive fires enemy MRP on the eastern side of OBJ sion by conducting an attack enveloping on eastern MRP Kara. You have priority of mortar sup-

54 ARMOR — November-December 1997 Figure 3. Commander’s view from his turret (Area visible from turret is shaded in Figure 2).

port throughout this operation and are re- 2nd platoon initially identified a tank state of the COA must have the remain- sponsible for triggering AB001 and turret west of CP 7; the tank has since ing enemy to your front destroyed and AB003. Your team has just deployed backed down into a defilade position, have the company team arrayed to con- along PL Lexington in anticipation of leaving only its antennae visible. The duct its support-by-fire position task. contact with the enemy CSOP (see Fig- platoon additionally identified and de- Readers wanting to submit their solu- ure 2. Battalion Graphics). stroyed a BMP vicinity NX065550 (see tions to the scenario should provide the following: fragmentary order to the com- You direct that 2nd platoon (tank) and Figure 3. Commander’s View from Tur- ret). pany team, the rationale behind the deci- 3rd platoon (tank) establish an over- sion, and a sketch of your COA. Mail watch while 1st platoon (mech) bounds your solution to ARMOR, ATTN: forward towards CP 2. You direct 1st Requirements ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121- platoon to focus its observation from CP 5210, or send your solution by e-mail to: 5 to CP 3, 2nd platoon from CP 6 to CP In five minutes or less, choose a course 7, and 3rd platoon from CP 7 to CP 8. of action and issue a FRAGO. The end [email protected] During 1st platoon’s bound, they receive fire, and 2nd platoon reports seeing a signature from a firing BMP east of CP 5. As the team continues to develop the situation, it conducts the following ac- In the next issue of ARMOR... tions and gains the following informa- In the January-February issue, we will include some of the solutions sent tion: in by readers to the September-October issue tactical vignette, “The Battle 3rd platoon conducts a reconnaissance of Durango Valley,” along with the author’s proposed solution. Suggested by fire and reports a vehicle moving vi- solutions for this vignette will appear in the March-April issue. - Ed. cinity of CP 8.

ARMOR — November-December 1997 55 THE PROBLEM:

“Ambush at Dogwood Crossing” from the November-December 1997 issue of ARMOR

Situation: Enemy. The enemy is conducting a defense out of con- Terrain (see Fig. 2, Battalion graphics) tact. The 13th MRD has de- Obstacles - Dogwood Creek is a natural ployed a forward detachment obstacle which will restrict tactical move- (MRB) ahead of the division ment because it offers only three fording to secure a key logistical site sites within the area of operation. five kilometers north of PL Yorktown (airfield). The for- Avenues of Approach - Axis California ward detachment has been es- is a high speed avenue of approach that tablishing hasty fighting posi- will allow maneuver to be masked by tions and protective obstacles the high ground nearby and the wood for the last 24 hours in prepa- line to the east of CP 5. Route Kayla is a ration for the arrival of the dismounted avenue of approach that pro- main body within the next 12 vides outstanding cover and concealment hours. Our task force (TF 1) up to CP 6. Occupation of CP 6 will al- will attack against an MRC low dismounts to engage suspected en- (along PL Enterprise) that the emy armored vehicles to their flank, forward detachment has de- causing disruption to the enemy COA. ployed forward to provide Figure 1. Brigade Graphics Key Terrain - Dogwood Creek is key early warning and to disrupt and attrit enemy forces that terrain since the creek can restrict or im- to fight in three directions. pede friendly maneuver. The ridge line enter their engagement area. The MRC on PL Yorktown is key terrain because it is currently at 70% strength. The MRC (End state). At end state, enemy de- affords outstanding observation to the has been identified by a UAV that flew stroyed in zone vicinity OBJ Amanda al- north, which will provide an advantage over their positions two hours ago. The lowing 2nd Brigade to maintain freedom to friendly or enemy forces. defending MRC deployed a CSOP 2-3 of maneuver as they attack north to seize kilometers forward of its main defensive OBJ Brittany (see Figure 1. Brigade Observation and Fields of Fire - The belt (along PL Yorktown) to provide Graphics). ridge line along PL Yorktown provides early warning and call for indirect fire to great observation and fields of fire be- harass enemy maneuver. The CSOP is an Tasks to Maneuver Units: cause it is the high ground that domi- MRP which is reinforced with a tank. TF 1 - Task: Seize OBJ Kara nates the terrain within the area of operation. Friendly. Purpose: Allow 1st Brigade to maintain Brigade freedom of maneuver to destroy enemy Cover and Concealment - The high forces vicinity OBJ Amanda. ground near CP 5 and the wood line to Mission: 1st Brigade attacks in zone the east of CP 5 provide great cover and 230630SEP97 to destroy enemy forces vi- On order, continue the attack north to de- concealment as friendly forces maneuver cinity OBJ Amanda in order to allow 2nd stroy enemy in zone to LOA New York along Axis California. Brigade (the division’s main effort) to Responsible for triggering brigade artil- maintain freedom of ma- lery target AB1002. Priority of artillery up neuver as they attack to PL Enterprise north to seize key logistical site vicinity OBJ Brit- TF 2 - Task: (Brigade main effort) Seize tany. OBJ (Amanda #1) Intent: (Purpose) The Purpose: To protect 1st Brigade’s west- purpose of this attack is to ern flank allow 2nd Brigade to at- Responsible for triggering brigade artil- tack north maintaining lery target AB1000. Priority of artillery at freedom of maneuver to PL Enterprise seize the airport vicinity of OBJ Brittany. The air- TF3 - Task: (brigade supporting effort) port allows the division to Seize OBJ (Amanda #3) provide more responsive Purpose: To protect 1st Brigade’s eastern logistical support within flank the area of operation. We Responsible for triggering brigade artil- will accomplish this mis- lery target AB1001 sion by conducting an attack with three TFs attacking abreast, envelop- Task Force 1 ing enemy forces from the Mission: TF 1 attacks in zone along Axis east and west. This will California 230630SEP97 to destroy enemy prevent the enemy from forces vicinity OBJ Kara in order to allow Figure 2. Battalion Graphics massing fires, forcing him 1st Brigade to maintain freedom of maneu-

ARMOR — March-April 1998 45 ver and maximize its combat power as it Accept one tank platoon from TM C to part of a three-team task force attack. TM attacks to destroy enemy forces vicinity maximize combat power to seize OBJ B is the support force. You are responsible OBJ Amanda. On order, continue to attack Kara, effective immediately for establishing a support by fire position north to LOA New York, destroying enemy TM B - Task: Support by fire (SBF 01) to suppress the enemy MRP on forces in zone. the eastern side of OBJ Kara. You have Purpose: To suppress enemy forces on priority of mortar support throughout this Intent: (Purpose) The purpose of our at- OBJ Kara in support of TM A’s attack tack is to destroy enemy forces in zone. operation and are responsible for triggering This will allow 1st Brigade to maintain Occupy terrain vicinity SBF 01, which AB001 and AB003. Your team has just de- freedom of maneuver and maximize its will provide effective suppressive fires on ployed along PL Lexington in anticipation combat power as it attacks to destroy en- eastern MRP of contact with the enemy CSOP (see Fig- ure 2. Battalion Graphics). emy forces vicinity OBJ Amanda. We will Lift your fires as TM A fires one green accomplish this mission by conducting an star cluster as they pass PL Enterprise You direct that 2nd platoon (tank) and 3rd attack enveloping enemy MRC 1 from the platoon (tank) establish an overwatch west. (End state) At end state, OBJ Kara Support force during TF breaching opera- while 1st platoon (mech) bounds forward has been seized, and TF conducting con- tions towards CP 2. You direct 1st platoon to fo- solidation and reorganization operations in Responsible for triggering mortar targets cus its observation from CP 5 to CP 3, 2nd preparation to continue the attack north to AB001 and AB003 platoon from CP 6 to CP 7, and 3rd pla- LOA New York. Initial priority of fires up to PL Yorktown toon from CP 7 to CP 8. During 1st pla- Tasks to Maneuver Units: toon’s bound, they receive fire, and 2nd TM C - Task: Breach platoon reports seeing a signature from a TM A - Task: (TF main effort) Seize firing BMP east of CP 5. As the team con- OBJ Kara. Purpose: To clear a lane for TM A’s at- tinues to develop the situation, it conducts tack to seize OBJ Kara Purpose: Prevent MRC 1 from attacking the following actions and gains the follow- into the flank of TF 2 or TF 3 Attached assault and obstacle platoon ef- ing information: fective immediately Assault force during TF breaching opera- 3rd platoon conducts a reconnaissance by tions Responsible for identifying point of fire and reports a vehicle moving vicinity breach of CP 8. Responsible for firing one green start cluster at PL Enterprise to signal TM B to Detach one tank platoon to TM A effec- 2nd platoon initially identified a tank tur- lift fires tive immediately ret west of CP 7; the tank has since backed down into a defilade position, leaving only Responsible for triggering artillery targets Company Situation AB1002 and AB002 its antennae visible. The platoon addition- You are the commander of TM B (tank ally identified and destroyed a BMP vicin- Priority of fires at PL Yorktown heavy). Your team is attacking in zone as ity NX065550.

RATIONALE: THE SOLUTIONS: Since the enemy is currently occupying my SBF position, and I am in a time Author’s Solution “DISMOUNTS, Clear enemy dismounts crunch to establish it, I must conduct a along Route Kayla and anchor the left hasty attack to destroy him or force him to flank at CP6 oriented towards CP5. withdraw in order to establish my SBF po- FRAGO: BREAK. sition. First, I get the company team to attack known enemy positions with direct “GUIDONS, this is BLACK 6, FRAGO “WHITE, Support by Fire BLUE’s as- fire, while the FIST suppresses them with follows. Situation: The enemy is over- sault to seize SBF 01. Orient fires from HE and uses smoke to cover RED’s seizing watching the ford site and occupying CP6 to CP8. BREAK. of the crossing site. WHITE supports by SBF01. We have a possible BMP at grid “BLUE, Seize SBF 01. Move through the fire from his position since he has visual 062556, a stationary tank at 074557, and ford site. Establish the right flank of SBF contact with the enemy, and will support possible BMP moving west near grid 01 vicinity CP8. BREAK. BLUE’s assault. BLUE then assaults 081557. BREAK. through to destroy or force the withdrawal “FIST, Suppress the enemy positions at of any enemy along PL YORKTOWN, and “Mission: Team B conducts a hasty attack CP5 and CP7 with artillery fires. Trigger establishes the center of the SBF01. to destroy enemy forces along PL YORK- AB001 to mask our movement to the ford TOWN to establish SBF 01 in order to sup- site. BREAK. I’m counting on our firepower and move- port the task force’s attack on OBJ KARA. ment to quickly gain a position of advan- BREAK. “BLACK 5, Move with BLUE. Report tage over what enemy remains along PL movement of enemy or friendly forces ma- YORKTOWN before we establish SBF 01 “Intent: We will destroy the CSOP in or- neuvering from the east. You are second in and turn our attention on KARA. I make der to establish our support by fire position priority of calling fires. BREAK. sure we crosstalk with the teams and let and suppress enemy forces as the TF at- the TF know what’s going on. tacks to seize OBJ KARA. BREAK. “BLACK 7, move the trains to a hide position vicinity PL LEXINGTON. AUTHOR’S NOTE: We purposely re- “Tasks to subordinate units: BREAK. duced unnecessary verbiage staying away “I’m moving with BLUE. Once we’re set from the perfect school house solution that “RED (MECH), Seize the crossing site on SBF 01, RED orients from TRP1 to would be unrealistic in the heat of battle. and establish near side security. On order, TRP3, WHITE from TRP2 to TRP3, We want to provide to the readers a quick establish the left flank of SBF 01 vicinity BLUE from TRP2 to TRP4. ACKNOW- realistic FM fragmentary order from the CP6. Report when set. BREAK. LEDGE, OVER.” company commander to his subordinates.

46 ARMOR — March-April 1998 A Reader’s Solution spotted. DO NOT fire into Route Kayla cross over 1000 meters of open ground once dismounts are on the ground. before they reach the relative safety of White, you have from CP 6 to CP 4. the woodline. I will use my tanks and (Submitted by 1LT Dan Head, HHC, Blue, destroy any remaining enemy on indirect fire support to suppress and de- 2nd BDE, 3ID, Fort Stewart, Ga.) the ridge. White moves first, covered by stroy the enemy while Red gets into po- Blue. White occupies CP 7. Blue occu- sition and dismounts. I know that the en- Frago: pies CP 8. Once White and Blue are set, emy is well within range of my tanks, so Guidons, Black 6, Frago follows: Red moves to CP 6 and remounts. in many ways I actually hope that they try to shoot Red, so that my tanks can Situation: Probable enemy CSOP with Black 5: Move up behind Red to cover their move forward to the dismount engage and destroy them with superior tanks and BMPs in hasty defense from firepower. 060555 to 082557. point. Stay on the ridge. Battlecarry Heat. Once Red has cleared up to CP 6 and Mission: No change has eyes on suspected enemy locations, I Execution: can bound my platoons forward, execute RATIONALE: platoon defile drills, and seize our SBF Redleg: Call for mortars. Fire for ef- Now I am in good shape. I have de- position. While White moves to seize fect, grid 062555, one BMP on a hilltop. SBF 1, Blue can destroy any enemy that Repeat twice. stroyed one enemy vehicle, and have good ground and have taken no losses. has remained in position. Once Blue and Red: Move to CP 2 and dismount. What I do not want to do is charge up to White are set in the SBF, I can safely Clear Route Kayla up to CP 6 and report the defile at Dogwood Creek while in bring up Red’s Bradleys and remount whether or not the enemy is in position direct fire contact. In order for the bat- the infantry. on the reverse slope of the ridge. talion mission to succeed, my company The XO moves to cover Red in case Bradleys support dismounted move up must reach SBF 1 without taking serious any enemy tanks are hidden in the Route Kayla and cover company sector losses. I must first clear the woodline woodline or in the vicinity of CP 5. I from CP 6 to the edge of the battalion along Kayla to avoid enemy dismounted can trust him to determine when and if it sector. Watch ATGM position vic ATGM fire to my flanks and rear as I is safe to fire over Red’s head and to 062555. Use impact of mortar rounds as advance and set my SBF position. The cross talk with the Red platoon leader the trigger to start your move. best way to do this is with my dis- and platoon sergeant before he fires. He White and Blue: Overwatch Red’s mounts supported by their Bradleys. The battle-carries HEAT so that he will not move and destroy any enemy vehicles problem is that the infantry platoon must cause fratricide with SABOT petals. TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-1 WHAT’S YOUR NEXT “Screen at Croley Lake” MOVE??

Situation. Terrain. The area around Croley Lake favors the defense. It is a mixture of wooded and open areas with undulating hills. The open areas contain farmland with several one-kilometer-square towns. There are numerous two-lane roads and intermittent streams in the area. Maxi- mum visibility is no more than eight kilometers for ground vehicles, but can be limited to 500 meters due to the undulating terrain. The squadron’s sector contains three north-to-south, regimental-sized avenues of approach (AA): AA 1, which runs west of Croley Lake in B Troop’s sector; AA 2, which runs east of Croley Lake in A Troop’s sector; and AA 3, which runs east of Redwood Forest in C Troop’s sector. The weather is expected to be sunny and clear with a low temperature of 45 degrees and a high of 78. Winds will be out of the east at 5 mph. Sunrise is at 0530 and sunset is at 2030. Enemy. The sovereign nation of Green- pieceland had its international border with Kevorkia violated by first echelon divisions of the Kevorkian Combined Arms Army. The 5th Kevorkian Division is expected to continue the attack to the south into the 52nd Armored Division’s (AD) sector. The Kevorkians will attack in standard Soviet-style regimental organization/formations to secure a long- sought-after seaport in southern Green- pieceland. The most likely course of action is that the 5th Kevorkian Division will conduct a deliberate attack in the 52nd AD’s sector down AA 1 and 2 with two motorized rifle regiments (MRR) forward and one MRR and the tank regiment in the division’s second echelon. The lead regiments will utilize an advance guard main body (AGMB) formation for security. The second echelon will reinforce the most successful lead regiment. Friendly. The 52nd AD was deployed to Greenpieceland to defeat the Kevor- kian advance and to provide time for the deployment of more Coalition forces. 1- 23 Cavalry conducts a guard along Phase Line (PL) DOLPHINS to destroy enemy reconnaissance forces and to fix

52 ARMOR — January-February 1998 or repel the enemy main body before it can engage the division with direct fire weapons. The division commander’s intent is to destroy the 5th Kevorkian Divi- sion’s reconnaissance assets and force its main body to deploy Troop, screening along PL BENGALS, sue a FRAGO. The end state of the COA at PL DOLPHINS. He expects to ac- will identify the follow-on AGMB and must have the SA-9 near CP 2 de- complish this with direct fires from 1-23 trigger a CAS mission to strike them in stroyed, DARE operations successfully Cavalry, combined with close air support EA PETER. Your purpose is to provide completed, and your platoons arrayed to (CAS) and indirect fires. The 1-23 the 52nd AD with three hours of ad- destroy the company-sized element that Squadron commander intends to deploy vanced early warning of an MRR attack is entering your sector. When you submit three cavalry troops abreast in sector, through your sector. At 0600, D Troop your solution to the scenario, provide the screening along PL DOLPHINS with the reports a platoon-sized element consist- following: Fragmentary order to the two air cavalry troops (ACT) conducting ing of three BMPs and an SA-9 moving troop, the rationale behind the decision, a screen along PL BENGALS. He ex- south vic CP 2. D Troop reports that the and a sketch of your course of action. pects to use Hellfire missiles from the platoon went to ground from CP 2, Mail your solution to ARMOR, ATTN: ACTs and TOW missiles from the South 0.5, West 0.3. Your Blue Platoon ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121- ground scout platoons to destroy enemy reports they are taking direct fire from 5210, or e-mail your solution to: reconnaissance forces out of enemy di- an enemy element in the vic of D [email protected] rect-fire range in Engagement Areas Troop’s last spot report. D Troop contin- (EA) PETER, PAUL, and MARY. He ues to report that one of their OH-58Ds also expects to use the ACTs to trigger a was shot down from CP 2, South 0.4, CAS strike on the AGMB in EAs PE- West 0.7. The pilots are wounded and TER and PAUL. The squadron com- immobile and the squadron commander mander’s end state is all enemy recon- orders your troop to conduct downed air- naissance assets destroyed north of PL crew recovery and extraction (DARE) In the May-June issue of DOLPHINS and all AGMBs fixed in operations, and destroy the SA-9 vic CP ARMOR, we’ll include some specified engagement areas north of PL 2. At 0635, the remaining D Troop OH- of the solutions sent in by DOLPHINS. 58s operating in the western part of your readers, along with the sector reports that a company-sized ele- author’s proposed solution. Troop Situation. You are the com- ment is entering your sector vic of NAI mander of A Troop, 1-23 Cavalry. Your 3 (Grid 119589), heading southwest in troop is conducting a screen along PL march formation at 15 kilometers per On page 47, we recap the DOLPHINS. It is 0545, and your troop hour. Your Blue Platoon reports that one September-October issue had successfully destroyed division and of his Bradleys has been destroyed by vignette, “The Battle of regimental reconnaissance elements that the enemy platoon in the vic of CP 2. Durango Valley,” and follow entered your sector at 1800 yesterday. A You have the normal complement of this recap with the author’s Troop’s task is to destroy the enemy’s support assets for a heavy division cav- solution and several others reconnaissance assets, and the forward alry troop. D Troop has priority of indi- suggested by readers. security element (FSE) in EA PETER, rect fires. then conduct a rearward passage of lines -Ed. through elements of the 52nd AD (FSE Requirement: In 5 minutes or less, destruction is trigger for RPOL). D choose a course of action (COA) and is-

ARMOR — January-February 1998 53 Solutions to Tactical Vignette 98-1: "Screen at Croley Lake"

Author’s solution: assist them in locating and securing the EXECUTION crash site. Band-Aid follows behind White a. Commander’s Intent - Purpose: rescue and when the area is reported secure, con- FRAGO Outlaw 11/24 while still executing original ducts evacuation. White continues the at- mission in OPORD. Critical tasks: Use tack east and destroys the CRP using fire Guidons this is Black 6, Frago follows: massed tank fires to destroy the CRP and and maneuver. Upon destruction of the en- SA-9 vic CP2. Outlaw 15 will provide in- Situation: D troop reports 3 BMPs and emy, establishes hasty defense and pre- tel and o/o call fires on FSE. One scout one SA 9 gone to ground vicinity grid pares to destroy FSE in EA Peter. platoon will rescue the downed crew while 073556 and a company-sized element Red maintains its position and orientation the other scout platoon provides supporting (FSE) moving southwest in march forma- into the EA and prepares to assist destruc- fires and observation across PETER. End- tion vicinity 119589, and reports a downed tion of the FSE. Green also maintains its state: 11/24 rescued and transferred to aircraft located vicinity 067556. FSE position but has a BPT mission to maneu- 1SG for medevac, CRP and SA-9 de- should enter EA Peter in 15-20 minutes. ver to reinforce Blue’s support by fire onto stroyed, nine tanks alive and positioned in “BLUE: Maintain contact and fix the en- the CRP. Without knowing the exact loca- hide, three M3s screening to the NW be- emy by conducting SBF, orient from Hill- tion of the downed aircraft and personnel, hind Hill 22, and five M3s providing sup- top 22 to TRP 03. As White begins their the risk of fratricide is great. The use of porting fires from the south. assault, shift fires east orienting on TRP 03 indirect fires to neutralize or suppress the b. Concept of the Operation - Three major to 02. Adjust mortar fires to provide good CRP may increase that risk. By firing events must happen simultaneously and obscuration for White’s assault on the CRP. smoke east of TRP 03 to provide obscura- quickly: 1) White and Green w/A66 will BPT assist the destruction of the FSE in tion, the risk of endangering the downed move rapidly west to the 07 N-S and then EA Peter. air crew is lessened. At the same time, it violently assault the SA-9 and three BMPs, provides White with some concealment as destroying all enemy to allow Blue to “WHITE: Conduct hasty attack to de- they conduct the assault. stroy CRP. Assault through CP 1 and se- complete the rescue; 2) Blue will move cure crash site for Band-Aid. When site is The swift execution of this plan allows immediately behind the tanks to rescue secure, signal Band-Aid to begin evac, for the successful completion of the DARE 11/24; 3) Red will provide overwatch and then continue the attack to destroy the mission, destruction of the CRP, and the supporting fires to allow the tanks to de- CRP. LOAs: north is PL Bengals and east array of forces to destroy the FSE in EA stroy the CRP and SA-9. Outlaw 15 will is CP 2. When the enemy is destroyed, Peter. maintain observation of the FSE and o/o conduct hasty defense west of TRP 03. call fires to allow White and Green to de- Orient east into EA Peter between TRP 01- stroy the CRP and SA-9. Once the CRP 02. BPT assist the destruction of the FSE SOLUTION A and SA-9 have been destroyed, the tanks in EA Peter. will move rapidly around the north side of Hill 22 to a hide position vic CP1. Once “BAND-AID: Follow White. Once White (From 1-10 Cavalry, 4th ID, Fort Hood, Texas) Blue has picked up 11/24, one section will 1 reports crash site secure, evac pilots to screen to the NW, providing early warning AXP. to the tanks; the other section will prepare “RED: Maintain position. Orient from FRAGO to assist in the assault on the FSE from the TRP 02 to 03. BPT assist the destruction west. o/o, Red will initiate direct fire of the FSE in EA Peter. SITUATION against the FSE from the south, NET 555 E-W, diverting attention away from the “GREEN: Maintain position. Orient from a. Enemy - Outlaw 15 has just reported west. o/o, White and Green will assault TRP 01 to 02. BPT maneuver to my loca- the FSE at NAI3; that’s 3.5 km out of di- from the west in to the FSE, destroying all tion in order to reinforce Blue, orienting rect fire range (12-15 minutes). They are enemy. Blue will SBF. Red will SBF. o/o, from TRP 01 to 03. BPT assist the destruc- still in march formation. There are three Outlaw 15 will call indirect on the FSE. tion of the FSE in EA Peter. BPT destroy BMPs and one SA-9 remaining (vic dismounted CATKs east, vicinity Redwood 072551) from the CRP that Blue was en- c. Tasks to Maneuver Units: forest. gaging. This CRP has shot down Outlaw Red 11 and Outlaw 24 (in the same helicopter). “FIST: Fire immediate smoke-mortars vi- Overwatch tanks cinity grid TRP 3 (074552). BPT fire im- The FSE consists of 8 BMPs, 3 T-80s, 2 engineer vehicles, and a chem recon Assist in directing White and Green to mediate suppression TRP 03. When D CRP, SA-9 troop reports FSE vicinity CP 7, fire im- BRDM. They are travelling at 15 kph. Deceive as to the location of the defense mediate suppression TRP 02. They are heading south and will pass to Maintain comms with Outlaw 15 the east of Croley Lake and of Hill 22 and B/P to call arty fires Rationale: Speed is essential in this op- are expected to try to shoot the gap at Call Mortar fires eration due to the arrival of the FSE within 0755. B/P to call mortar smoke vic CP7 30 minutes. With Blue in contact, they have Initiate direct fires the ability to place effective direct fires on b. Friendly - B Troop on the left is still Kill far right (east) tank with TOW the CRP to fix them, allowing White to as- screening along DOLPHIN as is C Troop sault. Blue is also in the best location to on our right. They have reported similar Blue contact with CRPs in their sectors. adjust mortar fires, providing good obscu- Conduct rescue ration from the enemy as White conducts MISSION - A/1-23 CAV conducts Transfer 11/24 to 1SG for medevac their attack. White assaults through CP 1 DARE operations vic 070552 to rescue Screen to NW using the terrain to mask movement and Outlaw 11 and 24. B/P to guide tanks into hide position

50 ARMOR — May-June 1998 Coordinate with B Troop for screen to This entire movement should take not downed air crew to ambulance exchange NW more than 10 minutes. Red will have to point. Move now.” Secure helicopter; be prepared to destroy call mortar or artillery smoke in order to (need CG approval) “RED, hold in place. Orient from TRP 03 conceal the movement of the tanks behind to TRP 02. Do not engage targets on Hill White Hill 22 to ensure surprise for the remainder 22. RED 1, personally verify all targets of the mission. Whereas effective artillery Kill two BMPs in CRP due to WHITE’s attack. Prepare to destroy Kill SA-9 fires by Outlaw north of PL COWBOYS FSE in EA PETER.” Kill left (east) tank in FSE would slow down the FSE, it would also Kill east four BMPs in FSE cause them to deploy into battle formation, “GREEN, hold in place. Orient from which I do not want; I want mass enemy TRP 02 to TRP 01. Prepare to destroy FSE Green confusion once Red opens the direct fire in EA PETER. BPT to reposition to my lo- fight. Red will initiate direct fires to draw cation in order to reinforce BLUE, orient- Kill one BMP in CRP ing from TRP 03 to TRP 01. BPT orient Kill two middle tanks in FSE attention to the direct south. It is important Kill four middle BMPs in FSE that Red kill the far right (in battle forma- east towards Redwood Forest to counter a tion) or the front tank (in march) with dismounted attack.” Outlaw TOW. The tanks will assault directly into “FIST/THUNDER, Immediate suppres- o/o call arty fires on FSE the flank of the FSE. Given the superior sion 072552, BMPs/SA-9 in the open. BPT B/P to kill select targets w/HELLFIRE armor protection, fire control, surprise, nu- fire WP smoke at 086560 during WHITE’s merical superiority (9 to 3), and armament attack in order to obscure observation from d. Coordinating Instructions: of the M1 to the T-80, added to the shock the north-east.” effect of nine M1A1s rolling at you at 25 Speed is essential!! mph, the odds are heavily stacked in favor “End State: NLT 0655, air crew evacu- All vehicles transfer ammo from semi- of A Troop. Add to that supporting fires ated to AXP. SA-9 and MRP destroyed. All ready to ready racks whenever time from Red, Blue, and Outlaw 15, the fight elements prepared to destroy the FSE in permits EA PETER.” Accepting risk in NW will be quick. Short depth engagement area - violence and speed is essential in assault RATIONALE Medics travel with Blue SOLUTION B With the impending arrival of the FSE in SERVICE SUPPORT - n/c (From Task Force Eagle Heavy Reserve, under one half an hour, speed is impera- A/1-37th AR, TF 1-36th Infantry, Bosnia) tive. BLUE is in contact, and can place ef- COMMAND AND SIGNAL - CDR fective direct and indirect fire on the MRP, with tanks fixing it. The nearest unit out of contact is FRAGO WHITE. The tanks are the best choice due Assumptions made: “GUIDONS, this is BLACK 6, FRAGO to the speed and firepower necessary to follows. Situation: 3 BMPs with SA-9 make the hasty attack as quick and devas- 1) Inital OPORD has been given and is- support located vicinity 072552. Downed tating as possible. With BLUE fixing the sued. OH-58D air crew vicinity 069554. Sus- MRP, the mortar section pounding them 2) Initial Mission Statement: A/1-23 CAV pected FSE vicinity 119588, moving into with HE, and WHITE conducting a flank- will screen along DOLPHIN NLT sector. ETA to EA PETER is 20 minutes.” ing maneuver, we should be able to destroy it within ten to fifteen minutes, giv- XX1600JAN98, destroying all division and “BLUE, maintain contact with enemy. regimental recon and the FSE in order to ing WHITE time to set up its hasty de- Fix the MRP by conducting support by fense. There will be a five-minute delay provide three hours of advanced warning fire, oriented from Hill Top 22 to TRP 03. to 52nd AD. between the tanks and the medics due to Adjust mortar fire on MRP. Adjust smoke their position. That five-minute buffer al- 3) Enemy situation has not changed sig- to vicinity 086560 when WHITE begins its lows the tank platoon to react to contin- nificantly from initial OPORD. attack. Lift or shift fires on my order. Once gencies, such as a crash site occupied by MRP is destroyed, orient fires from TRP 4) The terrain will allow tank movement the enemy, without exposing the medics to forward of PL DOLPHIN. 03 to TRP 02. Prepare to destroy FSE in danger. We accept risk in that once EA PETER.” Rationale for Plan - The main effort is to WHITE 1 decides the area is clear, he will “WHITE, Conduct hasty attack on MRP. Blue Platoon (rescue). Secondary effort is continue with his attack, leaving the med- to the tanks because they will kill the CRP Move north-west through CP1. Locate and ics with no security. WHITE’s objective is secure crash site of OH-58D on Hill 22. which is preventing the rescue effort. Red not far away, however, and could react to will provide supporting fires to allow tanks Once site is secure, continue to attack east any contact on the crash site within min- to kill CRP and SA-9. Time is critically in order to destroy MRP vicinity 086560. utes. Priority is destroying air defense assets. Do short because the real threat is the FSE that We will keep RED and GREEN in their is at NAI3 (about 12-15 minutes out of not cross PL BENGALS. LOA is tree line prepared positions in order to provide [the FSE’s] direct fire range. There is not on Hill 22. Initiate smoke mission vicinity cover over EA PETER while the other two 086560 in order to obscure your attack. enough time to execute a complex plan. platoons destroy the MRP, and to keep the Given the armor protection of an M1A1, Trigger is continuing your attack east from enemy confused as to what is in front of crash site. Once MRP is destroyed, con- especially against a BMP, there is little rea- him. There is no doubt that the MRP has son not to conduct a frontal assault with all duct hasty defense vicinity tree line west spotted BLUE and has called their position nine tanks to kill the CRP, especially when of TRP 03. Orient from TRP 02 to CP2 to the FSE. The longer we can keep the and prepare to destroy FSE in EA PETER. we consider how little time we have before enemy thinking that they are facing one the FSE is within direct fire range. Green Move now.” scout platoon in this sector the better. By Platoon will have to travel a maximum of “BAND-AID, move behind WHITE. the time they realize they are taking fire 3.5 km to kill the CRP; White only 2 km. Once site is secure, treat and evacuate from a tank platoon on their flank, they

ARMOR — May-June 1998 51 will be dead with no time to inform the FSE. If BLUE continues to take casualties we will reinforce them with GREEN to DP help finish off the MRP, and help with the 1 destruction of the FSE. AA1 The most complex part of the operation AA3 AA2 will be coordinating the indirect fire. In or- PL COWBOYS PL der to confuse and fix the MRP, we will hit CROLEY COWBOYS it with HE from the beginning. BLUE has LAKE B A A C the best position to adjust the fire, and will 7 6 do so until WHITE continues from securing the crash site. WHITE must cancel the PL DOWNED 4 PL HE mission and begin the WP smoke in BENGALS 5 2 PILOT BENGALS order to obscure their actions from the 01 EA PETER OH-58D FSE. Only they will know when they con- REDWOOD tinue their move east. They will not be HILL 02 22 03 3 FOREST able to observe the smoke however, and 1 BLUE must adjust the smoke accordingly until WHITE has completed the attack. PL This plan allows for the securing and DOLPHINS PL DOLPHINS evacuation of the downed air crew, the de- RED BLUE struction of the SA-9 and MRP, and the WHT destruction of the follow-on company- GRN TNS A66 sized element in EA PETER. MORT TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-2 WHAT’S YOUR NEXT “The Defense of Kozda” MOVE??

Situation Enemy. The S2 reports that within the brigade’s area of operations, the 13th MRD is conducting an attack to seize Kodza Airport a key logistical site, that will allow enemy forces easy access into the theater of operations. Within the battalion’s area of operations, the 3rd MRR is conducting an attack to seize the city of Kodza. This will allow the regiment to seize additional logistical sites (hospi- tal, stores, and water) that will support the division. The most probable course of action is for the 3rd MRR to attack along Avenue of Approach 1, enveloping the TF from the west maximizing their combat power. The most dangerous course of action is for the 3rd MRR to attack with two MRBs abreast, forcing us to fight in two directions and deny us the ability to concentrate our combat power. Friendly. TF 3-37 defends BP 22 at 260630SEP98 to destroy enemy forces in EA Crush in order to protect the western flank of the brigade’s main defense vicinity of the Kodza Airport. Company Situation. You are the commander of Charlie Team (tank heavy), TF 3-37. You are the main effort of TF 3-37 that is defending in sector. The brigade commander wants the task force to protect the west flank of the BDE main effort TF 2-10 AR, which is defending a key logistical site (Kodza Airport) east of the city of Kodza. Delta Company has been attached to TF 2-10. TF 3-37 is arrayed with two companies forward and one back. Bravo Team is occupying BP 1, oriented on TRPs 2 and 3. Alpha Team (mech) is occupying BP 3, oriented on TRPs 2 and 4. The TF com- Figure 1. Mapboard for the defense of Kozda. mander’s intent is to destroy the enemy in EA CRUSH by establishing a deliber- through AB003. Currently, the company 3rd Platoon reports no damage to any of ate defense on BP 22, reinforced by ex- is occupying BP 2, oriented on TRPs 1 their tanks. tensive obstacles in the engagement area; and 2 and is backed down in turret down this will deny the enemy from seizing positions, having withstood an initial ar- Bravo Team has just made contact and the city of Kodza (See Figure 1). destroyed three BMPs, and the TF scouts tillery bombardment. However, you have in the west report that the MRB will be Your team consists of two M1A1 tank taken some losses. in their sector within the next 15-20 platoons and one infantry (BFV) platoon 1st Platoon (mech) is down to 3 BFVs, minutes. As you are monitoring these re- and a MANPACK Team. You have pri- while 2nd Platoon reports that one tank ports, you hear Terminator 6 (TF com- ority of mortars and are responsible for has received heavy track damage and an- mander) trying to raise the Alpha Team triggering artillery targets AB001 other suffered severe gun tube damage. commander or his XO. He has lost all

ARMOR — March-April 1998 43 radio communications with Alpha Team, and the last transmission the A Team commander sent was that he was engaging three armored vehicles and was down to 9 vehicles. The TF commander now believes that the MRR is attacking with two MRBs abreast along Avenues of Approach 1 and 2. The TF scouts in the east confirm this by reporting that an MRB is moving fast along Avenue of Approach 2 and will be in Alpha Team’s sector within the next five minutes. The TF commander believes that the enemy will successfully penetrate Alpha Team’s position, leaving his flank exposed. He orders you to block penetration of Alpha Team’s sector (See Figure 2). You must act now! What do you do? Requirement. In 5 minutes or less make your decision and issue your FRAGO and any other reports you would submit. Readers who submit their solutions to the scenario should provide the following: fragmentary order to the company team, the rationale behind your decision, and a sketch of your plan of action. E-mail your solution to: [email protected]. mil, or mail your solution to ARMOR, ATTN: ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121-5210.

In the July-August issue of ARMOR, we’ll include some of the solutions sent in by readers, along with the author’s proposed solution. On page 45, we recap the November- December issue vignette, “Ambush at Dogwood Crossing,” and follow this recap with the author’s solution. -Ed. THE SOLUTIONS: Tactical Vignette 98-2 “Defense of Kozda”

Author’s Solution entirely leaves the center of the TF’s de- and TRP 2. Control all indirect fires fense vulnerable to penetration. from your position. Be prepared to reinforce myself and BLUE vic grid 094553. FRAGO Splitting my company team in two will Report when set. (BREAK) allow the TF to maintain greater lethality GUIDONS, this is BLACK 6, FRAGO on two fronts. Furthermore, leaving my WHITE: Move your 3 and 4 tanks to a follows. XO, a section from RED, and the two position vic grid 076534 have them re- damaged tanks from WHITE at BP 2 port to COMANCHE 5 when set. Move Situation: The TF scouts have reported gives me organic assets to protect my yourself to a position near your 2 tank a second MRB moving in the east and western flank as I reposition the rest of and attempt to get his track repaired. Be closing on TM A’s position. The TF my forces to BP 3. To maintain com- prepared to resupply Comanche 5 and commander has lost all radio communi- mand and control of the company team, your 3 and 4 tanks as needed. Report cations with TM A; the last transmission the XO will control the fight from BP 2. when you are set. (BREAK) the TM A commander sent was that he I will move with Blue and a section was engaging three armored vehicles RED: Move your remaining elements from RED. As the most experienced of- to a position vic grid 076534 and report and was down to nine vehicles. The TF ficer, it is logical for me to take charge commander is concerned that the enemy of the fight in the east (BP 3). My first to COMANCHE 5 when set. (BREAK) will successfully penetrate TM A’s posi- priority once I get to BP 3 will be to es- BLUE: Move your platoon with me to tion, leaving the TF eastern flank ex- tablish a hasty defense anchored on the a position southeast of BP3 vic grid posed. BREAK. left flank of TM A. Second, I will at- 094533 to block the enemy penetration. Mission: TM C establishes a hasty de- tempt to regain communication with TM We will orient from TRP 2 to TRP 4. fense vicinity 083537 to destroy enemy A. Third, I will determine what TM A’s (BREAK) combat strength is and take control of forces in EA SMASH to prevent pene- STINGER: Move your team to a posi- tration of the TF’s eastern flank. those assets if the leadership of TM A has been killed. Fourth, I will contact the tion vic grid 075533 and provide the BREAK. team with Stinger support. Report when TF commander and update him on the set. (BREAK) Intent: We will accomplish this mis- situation and provide him with any rec- sion by splitting our team in two and ommendations, if applicable. FIST: Move to a position vic grid fighting on two fronts. BREAK. 075533 and prepare to provide fires to the company team. Report when set. Tasks to subordinate units: AUTHOR’S NOTE: We purposely re- duced the unnecessary verbiage staying (BREAK) RED (MECH), maintain your current away from the perfect school house so- COMANCHE 7: Move the company position and be prepared to reinforce lution that would be unrealistic in the trains to a position vic grid 085523 and BLUE in the east. BREAK. heat of battle. We want to provide to the execute our CASEVAC plan. On order WHITE, have Alpha section maintain readers a quick realistic FM fragmentary conduct emergency resupply of BP2 their current position (damaged vehicles) order from the company commander to and/or my location vic grid 094533. Re- and have Bravo section follow BLUE to his subordinates. port when set. (BREAK) the east. Once BLUE establishes a hasty COMANCHE 6 will be located with defense, have Bravo section establish a BLUE vic grid 094533 send all calls for position to BLUE’s left flank. BREAK. fire through COMANCHE 5. (OUT) BLUE, move your platoon to 083537 SOLUTION A and establish a hasty defense oriented on ONE MINUTE LATER THE FOLLOW- EA SMASH. You are the main effort. (Submitted by SFC Gregory Burbo, ING RADIO TRAFFIC IS SENT: BREAK. doctrine writer, assigned to B CO, USAARMC, Fort Knox) BLACK 5, maintain your current posi- TERMINATOR 6 this is COMANCHE tion and take control of the fight in the 6, I am moving myself and BLUE to a west. I will move with BLUE. BREAK. COMANCHES, this is COMANCHE position vic grid 094533 time now. I will FIST, follow me and establish a posi- 6, FRAGO follows. The enemy is at- attempt to regain contact with you once tion where you can call for effective tacking along both northern axes of ap- set. (OUT) fires. BREAK. proach. Terminator 6 has lost commo FIST this is COMANCHE 5, Fire AB BLACK 7, maintain your current posi- with the Apaches, their last message 002 and AB 003 time now. (OUT) tion. Be prepared to conduct logistical stated that the Apaches had taken some support across two fronts. BREAK. losses at BP 3. We must assist the Apaches in stopping the enemy in en- FIVE MINUTES LATER THE FOL- gagement area SMASH to protect the LOWING RADIO TRAFFIC IS SENT: RATIONALE battalions flank. (BREAK) COMANCHE 5: Move yourself and TERMINATOR 6, this is COMANCHE The TF commander has ordered me to the remainder of RED with WHITE’S 2 6, set vic grid 094533. I have commo block the penetration of TM A’s position. FMC tanks to a position vic grid 079634 with the Apaches 6; he is down to 6 op- However, leaving my current position orient on EA CRUSH between AB 001 erational victors and engaging 4 enemy

ARMOR — July-August 1998 51 vehicles vic grid 087545. I am engaging SOLUTION B With heavy incoming artillery and the 7 enemy vehicles vic grid 093548 head- chaos and confusion of my troops in ing south along the hardball. (OUT) (Submitted by CPT Ukeiley, USMC) combat for the first time, I must keep things simple and direct. I must leave COMANCHE 5, this is WHITE 1, I am my subordinate leaders maximum room with White 2 set vic grid 071534. FRAGO (OVER) for initiative by providing clear mission Guidons, this is Charlie 6 FRAGO fol- and intent. Each platoon has been given COMANCHE 5, this is RED 1, all Red lows. a very specific task and purpose over the elements are set vic grid 077534. tac net. (OVER) Situation: MRB advancing south AA2. FSE at 55 Northing in 5 mikes. Bravo in With less than five minutes before COMANCHE 5, this is WHITE 4, good position to cover AA1. Alpha MRB is expected in EA SMASH, speed White 3 and myself are set vic grid needs help. is critical. Concise and direct orders fa- 079533. (OVER) cilitate this. Team Charlie must be in its Mission: Team Charlie establishes new hasty BP before the bulk of the COMANCHE 5, this is FIST. I am set hasty battle position overlooking EA MRB combat power is in direct fire vic grid 075533. (OVER) Smash in order to destroy enemy ad- range. As the move from our current BP COMANCHE 5, this is STINGER. We vancing along AA2. to our new BPs is less than 500 meters, are set vic grid 075533. (OVER) time and space factors must be consid- Tasks to subordinate units: ered. Even with such a short move, it FIST, this is COMANCHE 5 fire AB 001 time now. (OUT) FSO: Immediate obscuration fires to will be close. screen company movement. First, the accurate enemy targeting of COMANCHE 5, this is COMANCHE my BP and Alpha’s confirms that I am 7 set vic grid 085523. (OVER) 1st Plt (Mech): Establish hasty BP vic grid 083536 oriented northeast on EA under observation of enemy FO teams. I SMASH in order to destroy MRB. Con- must blind them in order to regain free- duct physical link-up with Alpha’s left dom of maneuver and retain tactical sur- flank. prise. I am dropping smoke to blind en- RATIONALE emy FO teams. I doubt they have ther- 2nd Plt: Company reserve. Maintain mal sights within their FO teams. Even current position and mission. Get dam- if the smoke alerts the enemy as to We have been ordered to block the en- age fixed ASAP. Be prepared to rein- movement, he will not know what I am emy penetration of Apache’s sector. force. doing or why. However we have not been totally re- 3rd Plt: Main effort! Establish hasty lieved of our original mission of defend- I sent 1st Plt to actually link up with BP vic grid 081539 oriented northeast on Alpha for numerous reasons. First, I ing BP 2. By taking BLUE with me to a EA SMASH in order to destroy MRB. position southeast of BP3, I can rein- want to gain situational awareness as to force the Apaches and should have XO: Get maintenance contact team to what is happening at their position. Sec- enough firepower to force the attacking 2nd now! ond, the mech infantry platoon with dis- MRR to ground in or near EA SMASH. mounts provides flexibility in coordina- RATIONALE tion, linkup, and assistance to Alpha that I should also be able to regain commo an armor platoon will not. with Terminator 6. This also puts me in a No plan survives contact with the en- position to be able to take charge of the emy; the plan is nothing more than a With 2nd Plt degraded, I leave them in Apaches should I find their command common basis for change. With a con- position as company reserve and task my elements dead. By leaving CO- firmed MRB on AA2 and no answer XO with getting them mission capable. MANCHE 5 with White’s 2 FMC tanks from Alpha, I must act decisively in or- In addition, this leaves the XO as my di- and the remaining RED elements and der to accomplish the brigade CO’s in- rected telescope with eyes on the origi- moving them to the east side of BP 2, I tent. His intent is to destroy the enemy nal EA to deal with unexpected contin- am able to still engage the enemy in EA in order to retain possession of key ter- gencies. If the situation requires, there is CRUSH. This also places them in a po- rain, Kodza. Whether Charlie destroys still a platoon of shooters overlooking sition from where they can quickly rein- the enemy in EA CRUSH or EA EA CRUSH to destroy any enemy forces force the Apaches on BP 3, or my ele- SMASH makes no difference so long as that bypass Team Bravo. If not, I can ment vic grid 094533, if needed. the enemy is destroyed and we retain mass the company at EA SMASH. Kodza. This is why I must understand By moving WHITE 1 to a position near not just my TF commander’s intent, but 3rd Plt is now my main effort as they his down tank he may be able to get it my brigade commander’s as well. are still at 100% effectiveness and their up and give us that additional firepower. In order to accomplish this, the MRB four tanks (plus mine) will provide the If not, he is in a position to resupply advancing into EA SMASH must be de- mass of company combat power. 3rd Plt COMANCHE 5 and his two FMC tanks stroyed. With only nine of fourteen vehi- is my decisive bid for victory at EA as needed. The Stinger team and FIST is cles remaining, Alpha is in trouble and SMASH. As the terrain dictates that en- now in a more secure position, which must be reinforced. This is the decisive emy mechanized forces will be naturally will still allow them to give the company action that will accomplish the intent. channelized to the east along AA2, this protection from air attack. Comanche 7 Bravo is in good shape and position to will present 3rd Plt with flank shots as is now in a more secure position from defeat the MRB advancing into EA the enemy closes. where he can execute our CASEVAC CRUSH. Additonally, by changing battle The mission has changed, yet the intent plan and resupply either BP 2 or BP 3 as positions, I am introducing doubt into remains the same. Destroy the enemy well as my element vic grid 094533 as the enemy commander’s perception of MRB and prevent enemy seizure of needed. the battlefield. Kodza.

52 ARMOR — July-August 1998 TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-3 WHAT’S YOUR NEXT “Attack in Brandenburg” MOVE??

Situation In its haste to set up a SBF position, Bravo Enemy. Team, TF 3-37, attacked its objective in column. A tank pla- Remnants of an enemy force are de- toon was assigned to fending the town of Brandenburg to pre- lead, and the attached vent the seizure of the ferry site. Enemy forces have been cleared from PL Dis- infantry platoon was clearing buildings at mount to PL Sniper and are making a fi- the southern end of nal stand along the south bank of the the team’s column. Ohio River north of PL Sniper. The level While the infantry was of enemy resistance indicates that the clearing the first few enemy remnants have created effective buildings on Main Looking north on Main Street from Broadway. antiarmor kill zones, armed with SAG- Street (1, 2, 20, 21, GER missiles, RPGs, antitank grenades, Molotov cocktails, and sniper fire. The 22), the team’s column of vehicles continued down the street The TF commander has ordered Bravo enemy force in OBJ White is reported to without the support of the infantry pla- Team to retain control of buildings it have a T-80 and 2 BMPs in support of toon. The column proceeded without in- currently holds and to withdraw all re- the dismounted effort. cident until reaching the northern-most maining vehicles to CP 7 for consolida- The most probable and most dangerous end of the town, where the vehicles were tion. In addition, he has ordered you to course of action is for the enemy rem- ambushed by antitank fire from the sur- assume the Bravo team mission (seize nants to courageously attempt to hold rounding buildings. The attack destroyed OBJ White) and has given you priority their defensive positions. They will at- the first two vehicles of the lead tank of artillery and mortar fires as soon as tempt to destroy friendly units piecemeal platoon and the sec- as they move down the bottleneck streets ond vehicle of the fol- of Brandenburg. lowing mech platoon. Three other vehicles Friendly. were trapped and eventually destroyed before any dismounted TF 3-37 AR attacks OBJ Bridge (Red, support could assist. White, and Blue), 071300____98, to Bravo Team recovered seize crossing sites on the south bank of the majority of its the Ohio River to enable follow-on wounded from Main forces to establish a bridge site at Street. Bravo 6 re- ET729065. ported sighting the following enemy posi- Scenario. tions: building 13, RPG team; buildings You are the commander of Delta Team 10 and 16, SAPPER (2 tank platoons and 1 mech platoon teams with small arms with 15 dismounts), TF 3-37. The TF fire; building 4, a sus- consists of 2 tank-heavy teams and 2 pected sniper; a tank mech-heavy teams. You are the TF re- to the east of building serve. The brigade commander wants the 12; a BMP north of TF to seize OBJ Bridge in order to sup- building 13. Bravo 6 port an assault crossing of the Ohio believes there are River. TF 2-66 IN has already seized the other buildings that southern half of Brandenburg (south of are occupied by en- PL Sniper). Alpha Team, TF 3-37, has emy remnants armed successfully seized OBJ Red and Charlie with antitank and Team, TF 3-37, has successfully seized small arms weapons, OBJ Blue. Both are currently set up in but he cannot confirm SBF positions oriented north. this.

24 ARMOR — May-June 1998 you cross PL Sniper. The TF commander has attached an engineer squad to your company team; the 1SG is moving to The ambush site near the ferry landing. make linkup at CP 4 in the next five minutes. You also receive reports that some soldiers from Bravo Team are pinned down within the kill zone. Divi- sion follow-on forces are rapidly approaching and are expected to reach Brandenburg in one hour. In order for the division to maintain tempo and successfully continue the attack, Branden- burg must be seized and a bridge site established. Your team is currently at CP 5. You must act now! What do you do!

Requirement:

In 10 minutes or less, make your decision and issue your FRAGO and any other reports you would submit. Readers who submit their solutions to the scenario should provide the following: fragmentary order to the company team, the rationale behind your decision, and a sketch of your plan of action. E-mail your solution to ThompsonM@ftknox- dtdd-emh5.army.mil, or mail your solution to ARMOR, ATTN: ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121-5210.

SOLUTIONS

The author’s solution, along with interesting alternative solutions, will appear in the Sep- tember-October issue of AR- MOR. Several solutions to Tactical Vignette 98-1, “Screen at Croley Lake,” which appeared in the January-February issue, are published in this issue on page 49.

ARMOR — May-June 1998 25 intersection of Decatur Street and Main with enough time to remove the disabled THE SOLUTIONS Street. Continue to move north along vehicles from the main avenue of ap- TV 98-3, “Attack in Brandenburg” Main Street, eliminating all other enemy proach (Main Street), which will serve as resistance. Recover Bravo’s wounded. I the passage lane for the division’s main Author’s Solution am attaching a medic vehicle to your pla- body. toon, and Black 5 will move with you for added firepower. To accomplish this mission, the company team should conduct the operation in five FRAGO: WHITE: Provide overwatch of OBJ phases IAW FM 90-10-1 (An Infantry- GUIDONS, this is Black 6, FRAGO fol- WHITE by establishing an SBF position man’s Guide to Combat in Built-Up Ar- lows. vic grid ET727059 oriented northeast into eas). After reconnoitering and moving to the town. After Blue (mech) has cleared the objective, the company team isolates Situation: Remnants of an enemy force up to Decatur Street, attack north behind the objective, secures a foothold, and are defending the town of Brandenburg. the buildings on the west side of Main clears the built-up area prior to establish- Enemy forces have been cleared from PL Street. Destroy the BMP vic grid ing the lane. Isolating the objective in- DISMOUNT to PL SNIPER, and OBJ ET731064 and attempt to find and destroy volves seizing terrain that dominates the RED and OBJ BLUE have been seized. the other reported BMP. area so that the enemy cannot supply or The enemy has created an effective an- reinforce its defenders. This step must be tiarmor kill zone in OBJ WHITE and has BLACK 5: Move with Blue (mech), providing them with additional firepower accomplished concurrently with securing employed SAGGER missiles, RPGs, anti- a foothold, which involves seizing an in- tank grenades, Molotov cocktails, and as they clear the buildings along Main Street and as they clear the route. Coordi- termediate objective that provides cover sniper fire. A T-80 and 2 BMPs have been from enemy fire and a place for attacking reported on OBJ WHITE. The enemy will nate with Black 7 for the CASEVAC of Bravo’s wounded. Determine if Main troops to enter the built-up area. A foot- attempt to piecemeal friendly units as they hold is normally one or two city blocks. move down the bottleneck streets of Street is a trafficable route for follow-on forces. As the company team attacks to secure the Brandenburg. Bravo 6 has reported enemy foothold, it should be supported by sup- positions in the following buildings: build- FIST: Follow Red and set vic grid pressive fires and smoke. ing 13, RPG team; buildings 10 and 16, ET732063 oriented northwest to observe Sapper teams with small arms; and build- and adjust artillery and mortar fires to To isolate the objective, I will employ ing 4, a suspected sniper. Other buildings obscure enemy observation of Red’s my tank platoons in overwatch roles be- are believed to be occupied by enemy movement. cause of their firepower and their ability to remnants. acquire targets with their thermal sights. If BLACK 7: On order, lead the M88 for- my tank platoons are successful, the Mission: Team D attacks immediately to ward to recover Bravo’s disabled vehicles mechanized platoon’s ability to clear the seize OBJ WHITE to enable follow-on on Main Street. Request additional M88 built-up area will be enhanced signifi- forces to establish a bridge site vic. grid support from the Task Force. Supervise cantly. ET729066. the CASEVAC of wounded Bravo sol- I will use the mechanized platoon to Intent: (Purpose) To seize OBJ WHITE diers. Request additional medic support from the Task Force as necessary. clear the built-up area because of its to allow follow-on forces to establish a greater maneuverability in restrictive ter- bridge site vic grid ET729066. (Endstate) rain and its organic relationship with the OBJ WHITE has been seized and condi- SAPPERS: Move with Red and assist in clearing the lane for the follow-on forces. platoon’s dismounted infantry. Task orga- tions set for follow-on forces to establish nizing the mechanized assets within the the bridge site. I will move with Red and maintain tank platoons would prove to be too time-

command and control of all the moving consuming; it is also doubtful that the tank Tasks to subordinate units: pieces. I will coordinate with Alpha and platoon leader can employ dismounted RED: Isolate OBJ WHITE by establish- Charlie and have them scan for the BMPs soldiers with maximum efficiency. There- ing an SBF position vic grid ET732063 and T-80 that were reported close to their fore, I decided to keep my platoons pure. oriented west. Destroy all enemy dis- positions. It is essential that we maintain mounted forces and armored vehicles situational awareness during the execution The company team will have to clear the (including the T-80) that could bring ef- of this mission. All guidons, keep me in- main avenue of approach to pass the ma- fective fires into Brandenburg, preventing formed of your progress. Communication jority of the division’s assets. Due to the Blue (mech) from clearing the town. On is our success. XO’s support of Blue, the 1SG will be order, establish a trafficable passage lane required to coordinate at the task force from ET730063 to ET730065 (between RATIONALE: level for additional recovery and medic Decatur Street and “River” Road) for fol- assets, which will assist in expediting the low-on forces from the division. The en- The purpose of the company team’s mis- route clearance. Once Brandenburg is gineer squad is attached to assist you in sion is to allow follow-on forces to estab- cleared and all disabled vehicles have establishing the lane. lish a bridge site. The passage of follow- been removed from Main Street, the com- on forces within the allocated 1-hour time pany team will have created a passage BLUE (MECH): The tank platoons will constraint hinges on our ability to establish lane capable of handling two-way traffic. overwatch your initial movement into a trafficable lane for the division to pass Brandenburg. Dismount your infantry at through. To conserve time, the company AUTHOR’S NOTE: We purposely re- the intersection of Broadway and Main team can begin to pass follow-on forces duced the unnecessary verbiage, staying Streets. Immediately begin clearing the without entirely clearing the town of away from a “perfect” schoolhouse solu- town. Split your platoon into sections and Brandenburg as long as the main route is tion that would be unrealistic in the heat of use your dismounts, overwatched by your clear for the main body of the division. battle. Rather, we are providing the read- vehicles, to clear both sides of Main Street Initially, we must establish a temporary ers with a quick, realistic FM fragmentary simultaneously. Eliminate the sniper in the lane to allow passage of the division’s lead order from the company team commander building on the southeast corner of the elements. This provides the company team to his subordinates.

42 ARMOR — September-October 1998 Reader Solution RED (tank): Detach Bravo section to for their passage. In addition, I must also Blue (mech) and take Blue’s Bravo sec- clear OBJ WHITE and CASEVAC (From First Lieutenant Rob Weber, B tion. Move along Gay Street and turn west Bravo’s wounded soldiers. I have task Co/USAARMC, Fort Knox, Ky.) on Decatur Street to pass along the east organized my platoons in the following

side of Bldg. 7. Also take the engineer manner: FRAGO: squad and clear a route behind the buildings on the east side of Main Street that (Red and Blue, two tanks and two BFVs; “GUIDONS, this is Black 6, FRAGO can serve as a trafficable passage lane for White, 4 tanks). I did this in order to pro- follows. follow-on forces in case we are unable to vide the element clearing the town with Friendly Situation: Alpha has seized clear Main Street for through traffic. Con- the added firepower of the tanks. In addi- OBJ RED to our immediate West and solidate on the east side of parking lot and tion, I left the dismounts of the Bradley Charlie has seized OBJ BLUE to our im- orient NE. BREAK section that went to Red behind with Blue mediate East. Bravo attacked OBJ WHITE (tank): Conduct a Passage of (mech) for use in clearing the buildings of WHITE to our direct front. At the north Lines with Charlie and quickly move Brandenburg. White remained tank pure end of town, six of their vehicles were along Gay Street until it intersects “River in order to maximize its firepower as it is destroyed by sniper and RPG fires that Road.” Attack west along “River Road” my primary killing element. came from inside and around the buildings and destroy the T-80 vicinity Bldg. 12. in that vicinity. Bravo has evacuated most I have used Red to clear a lane behind Continue your attack west to destroy the the buildings on the east side of Main of its casualties to CP 7; however, there BMP vicinity Bldg. 13. You need to exe- are still a few dismounts pinned down in Street to be used in case the disabled vehi- cute a timely move, destroy those two cles on Main Street cannot be removed the area. Bravo has cleared and still occu- vehicles, and set on the south side of the pies Buildings 1, 2, 20, 21, and 22. prior to the arrival of the division’s forces. parking lot oriented south. BREAK I have provided Red with the engineer Enemy Situation: Bravo 6 confirms the Black 5: Follow in support of White and squad to assist them in establishing a lane. following enemy locations: RPG team coordinate the passage of lines with Char- I am using the infantry dismounts to clear Bldg. 13, SAPPER teams with small arms lie. Keep me informed of your situation the buildings in the town of Brandenburg. Bldgs. 10 and 16, suspected sniper Bldg. and give me warning prior to White’s They are supported with a tank section to 4, a T-80 east of Bldg. 12, vicinity grid crossing of Main Street so I can lift fires. provide overwatch and additional fire- 732064, and a BMP north of Bldg. 13, BREAK power and the medic track to assist in the vicinity grid 728064. Also expect another CASEVAC of Bravo’s wounded. I have BMP somewhere in the town and other Black 7: Take the trains to CP 9. Send also tasked Blue (mech) with determining enemy occupied buildings, but cannot the medic track with Blue to assist in the whether Main Street can be used as a traf- confirm exact locations. The enemy is CASEVAC along Main Street. Coordinate ficable route. I have sent White, along armed with SAGGER missiles, antitank with Charlie 7 for CSS support of White if with the XO, to conduct a passage of lines grenades, Molotov cocktails, and sniper necessary. On order conduct consolidation with Charlie in the east in order to conduct rifle fire. They will attempt to destroy and reorganization activities in parking lot an attack at the north end of Brandenburg. friendly units piecemeal as they move vicinity grid 731064. BREAK By attacking east to west, I hope to down the bottleneck streets of Branden- FIST: Follow Red and locate in a posi- achieve advantage by hitting the enemy burg. tion of good observation. Trigger artillery (T-80 and BMPs) from their flanks or Mission: Team Delta attacks to seize and mortar fires to provide smoke to ob- rear. I anticipate that these enemy vehicles OBJ WHITE in order to secure the cross- scure enemy observation of Red’s and will be primarily orienting south into the ing site on the south bank of the Ohio White’s movement. BREAK town of Brandenburg. Also, I have at- River vicinity grid 728066 and establish a tempted to crosstalk with other elements I will move with Red and maintain in the task force by informing Alpha and SBF position to enable follow-on forces to command and control. I will coordinate establish a bridge site. Charlie of the enemy vehicles reported with Charlie and Alpha and have them near their locations. If Alpha and Charlie Intent: We will clear all buildings on scan for the T-80 and BMPs as their re- would be able to engage these vehicles, I OBJ WHITE and destroy all remaining ported locations are close to their respec- would have more assets available to ac- enemy remnants. The endstate is the sei- tive positions. It is essential that we main- complish my mission of establishing a zure of OBJ WHITE and the establish- tain situational awareness, so keep me lane and clearing Brandenburg. I have ment of a SBF position oriented north informed of progress. When White as- used the FIST to provide smoke in order across the Ohio River. saults west across the north side of the to obscure enemy observation of Red’s OBJ, I will instruct Red and Blue to lift and White’s movement. Tasks to subordinate units: and shift fires to prevent fratricide. BLUE (mech): Detach Bravo section Alpha 6, be advised there is a reported I have incorporated a redundancy by (minus dismounts) to Red (tank) and take BMP north of Bldg. 13 to your NE. You providing two alternatives for the passage Red’s Bravo section. Move along Main should be able to observe and engage him lane for the division’s assets. First, I will Street and use your dismounts over- at this time. BREAK attempt to use Main Street as the primary watched by your vehicles to clear Bldgs. route. However, if Main Street cannot be 4, 16, 10, and 13 of reported enemy. Be Charlie 6, be advised there is a reported cleared of enemy resistance or disabled advised, other enemy locations are possi- T-80 east of Bldg. 12 to your NW. You Bravo vehicles cannot be removed, I have ble as you move along the street. Collect should be able to observe and engage him provided an alternative route on the east- any of Bravo’s casualties that you en- at this time. OVER. ern side of town. Due to the difficult task counter. Consolidate on the west side of RATIONALE: organization and the independent maneu- the parking lot oriented NW. Assess ver of each platoon, my plan requires a whether or not we will be able to clear the My primary mission is to ensure that the well-trained unit. However, good commu- vehicles off Main Street and use it as a division’s follow-on forces can establish nication will lead to the commander’s trafficable route for follow-on forces. the bridge site and continue the attack. ability to maintain command and control BREAK. Therefore, I must create a trafficable lane and a successful mission.

ARMOR — September-October 1998 43 TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-4 WHAT’S YOUR Stability and Support Operations in Athia NEXT MOVE?? “Showdown at Bruechville”

Scenario: platoons (2nd and 4th Plt) of M1A1 The Action Begins: Abrams Main Battle Tanks, a mortar You are deployed in theater as part of a section, one up-armored fire truck and Ten minutes ago, the squadron S2 in- United Nations force where you have one tank and pump unit, carrying high- formed you that JSTARS reports two been assigned stability and support type convoys approaching your position from operations (SASO), primarily peace en- pressure water cannons. Additionally, the west on each of the major roads. there is a team of OH-58D(I) Kiowa forcement and support of the humanitar- Warriors (KWs) on station from Delta Both convoys have approximately 20 ve- ian assistance efforts of non-governmen- hicles, of which about half appear to be tal organizations (NGOs). The threat in Troop that are under squadron control. armored. The squadron commander The KWs are each carrying 300 rounds FRAGOed the area is from the Athian faction, of .50 caliber and two Hellfire missiles. the KWs to reconnoiter the which is not satisfied with the United convoys to determine their exact location Nations’ resolution of border disputes or and disposition. You plot their location redistribution of international aid. Athian Mission: to be approximately twelve kilometers equipment includes BRDM-1s and OT- west of CPs 7 and 9. B/1-23rd Cavalry conducts area secu- 64s, which they have been flaunting in rity operations centered on the village of You receive the following SPOTREP violation of the U.N. accord by using Black 6, this is their armored vehicles to escort other ve- Bruechville to protect food distribution from your 3rd platoon: “ points and other critical facilities against Blue 1. We have a crowd of approxi- hicles and equipment around in your Athian insurgent threats. mately 200 pro-Athian sympathizers on area of operations. Additionally, Athian foot, moving on the road toward the re- activity has thus far been limited to mild You have been issued non-lethal weap- supply area, current location is two kilo- anti-United Nations demonstrations and ons for crowd control, to include water meters west of CP 11. We have identified graffiti. Recent intelligence indicates in- cannons, pepper spray, and CS grenades. known Athian black list personnel surgent forces are suffering food short- You are conducting an area security mis- among the demonstrators. Also, a roving ages brought on by harsh winter months. sion to protect and control the distribu- patrol has found five empty dump trucks Current rules of engagement now allow tion of food and medical supplies at a hidden in the wooded area north of HP the use of deadly force when necessary recently resupplied food distribution cen- Saddle. The truck drivers state they are to protect lives, critical equipment, and ter. Your 1st platoon is assigned Check taking a lunch break from their road all U.N./host nation facilities. Points 7 and 9, the terrain west of the construction project.” Although you General Situation: river, with its sister platoon (2nd) estab- have been briefed on all construction lished in Hide Position Horse. Your 3rd projects in your area, you are unaware of You are the commander for Blackhorse Platoon is responsible for the river and any projects in your immediate AO. Troop 1-23 Cavalry, an armored division the terrain east of the river, with its sister cavalry squadron. Your assets include platoon in Hide Position Saddle. Your The KWs report that both convoys are two scout platoons (1st and 3rd Plt) of mortars are in Mortar Firing Position approximately ten kilometers west of M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles, two tank Rope. CPs 7 and 9 respectively. The northern convoy consists of 3 BRDMs, 5 OT-64s, and 12 GAZ cargo trucks. The southern convoy consists of 5 BRDMs, 6 OT-64s, and 9 GAZ cargo trucks. Every armored vehicle has women and children riding on top. The OT-64s are equipped with 14.5mm heavy MGs, and BRDMs equipped with 12.7mm heavy MGs. The paramilitary soldiers have RPGs and SA-7s. They further report that the road is bordered on both sides by restricted and severely restricted terrain. Requirement: Take five minutes to assess the situation and formulate a FRAGO. Issue your FRAGO as if talking on the radio. Submit your solution to the Cavalry Branch by e-mail at: HoskinsonT @ftknox-dtdd-emh5.army.mil, or mail your solution to ARMOR, ATTN: ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121- 5210.

ARMOR — July-August 1998 49

THE SOLUTIONS Tactical Vignette 98-4, “Showdown at Bruechville”

Author’s Solution - Identify and detain crowd leaders and I sent a section of 4th Platoon to rein- blacklist personnel. force 3rd as a show of force. 3rd Platoon

FRAGO - Detain the dump truck drivers. has the ability to detain crowd leaders and delay the crowd so they should be dis- Guidons, this is Black 6, FRAGO fol- - Disable the dump trucks. persed before they reach the distribution lows, acknowledge, over. GREEN: - Send one section to rein- point. Situation: There is a 20-vehicle convoy force Blue and one section to defend the I detained the dump truck drivers for consisting of 3 BRDMs, 5 OT-64s, and supply distribution point. later questioning and possible turnover to 12 GAZ cargo trucks 10km west of CP 9 the host nation police for their involve- - Be prepared to reinforce Red or moving east. There is an additional 20- White. ment in the raid. I disabled the dump vehicle convoy with 5 BRDMs, 6 OT- trucks to prevent their usage by other 64s, and 9 GAZ cargo trucks 10 km west MORTARS: - Lay one tube on a target personnel. I considered tasking 3rd Pla- of CP 7 moving east. All armored vehi- from CP 9, west 1.0. toon to use them to block the road into cles in both convoys have women and Breuchville, but I felt time was short and children riding on top. Blue has approxi- - Lay the other tube on a target from CP they would need all they could get to plan 7, west 1.0. mately 200 pro-Athian sympathizers on and prepare for the crowd. foot, 2 km west of CP 11 moving west. - Be prepared to reorient your direction Blue has also discovered 5 empty dump of fire to support Blue. 4th Platoon is my be-prepared reserve. They should not be needed in 3rd Pla- trucks in the wooded area north of HP TOC: - Keep Squadron informed. toon’s fight or at the distribution point. SADDLE. - Request that the AWT be OPCON to The Kiowa Warriors will provide addi- There is an Air Weapons Team (AWT) from D Troop operating in our area. It is us. tional firepower and eyes for 1st Platoon. They also can record the event on video. my assessment that this is a coordinated - Request FA priority of fires. effort by pro-Athian sympathizers to raid the distribution site in Bruechville. FIST: - Move to CP 9 and adjust fire for the mortars. Reader Solution Mission: No change. - FA POF: KWs, 1st Plt. Intent: (Purpose) Prevent Athian ag- - Mort POF: 1st Plt, KWs. (Submitted by CPT Ray M. Ceralde) gressors from capturing or destroying supplies. (Endstate) Athian convoys and KWs: - Maintain contact with the con- demonstrations dispersed and returned to voys. Note: “Demon” Troop is one of the Air their point of origin. - O/O use FA and organic fire to attrit Cavalry Troops in the squadron. Tasks to subordinate units: the convoys. Alert RED: - Establish blocking positions at - Be prepared to conduct BHO with 1st Guidons, this is Black 6, FRAGO fol- CPs 7 and 9 to allow no penetration east Platoon and fight a coordinated close of the checkpoints. fight. lows. - On order, destroy convoys using sec- TRAINS: - Move to the supply point Situation: 20-vehicle convoy, ten kilometers west of CP 9, consisting of 3 tions from White. with the 1SG’s M113, maintenance BRDMs, 5 OT-64s, and 12 cargo trucks, M113 and the M-88. - Use the fire truck at CP 7 and the tank moving east, break. and pump unit at CP 9 to remove women - Link-up with Green and establish a and children from the armored vehicles, perimeter around the supply point. Another 20-vehicle convoy, ten kilometers west of CP 7, consisting of 5 or use mortar fire. Service Support: No change. BRDMs, 6 OT-64s, and 9 cargo trucks, - Use mortars first, then escalate force Command and Signal: I will be with also moving east, break. with direct fire as necessary to stop the convoys. Red and White at CP 7. Acknowledge, Demon troop reports terrain on both over. sides of north and south road past check-

- B/P coordinate with AWT to prevent points 7 and 9 is severely restricted for penetration of CPs. RATIONALE: vehicle movement, break. - You have priority of mortar fire. I sent 1st and 2nd Platoons to CPs 7 and All armored vehicles have women and 9 as a show of force and have over- children riding on top, break. WHITE: - Send one section to CP 7 whelming firepower if destruction of the and one section to CP 9 to reinforce Red. 200 pro-Athian sympathizers with iden- BRDMs and OT-64s is necessary and/or tified black-listed personnel, two kilome- - On order, destroy convoys. authorized. I split 2nd Platoon because a section is sufficient firepower to destroy ters east of CP 9 moving west along east BLUE: - Establish a blocking position road, break. from CP 11, west 4.5 oriented east. either of the convoys and the restrictive terrain will not allow for anything larger 5 dump trucks, stationary in woodline, 1 - Use water cannons, CS, and pepper than a section to be effectively employed kilometer north of hide position SAD- spray as necessary to disperse the crowd. against the convoys. DLE, break.

ARMOR — November-December 1998 59

Most probable course of action is that BLUE 1, Send a two-vehicle section to insurgent operations, there is nothing I the Athians are attempting to overwhelm continue to observe and report on the 5 can do but continue to observe and report. the supply and food point by numbers stationary dump trucks, break. Send the If they do something in violation of the and force to take more than their allotted rest of your platoon and all available dis- UN accord, then I can have the BFV sec- share of food and supplies, break. mounts to establish a hasty checkpoint at tion block their movement and detain the Mission: We will establish hasty CP 11 to prevent the crowd from massing drivers. at the food point. Upon inspection, send checkpoints at CP 7, CP 9, and CP 11 to groups of 20 people every five minutes, The hasty checkpoint at CP 11 is in- prevent armored vehicles from entering tended to slow down the movement of Breuchville and to prevent large numbers break. the crowd. The blacklisted personnel will of civilians from massing at the food BLACK 5, Move to CP 11 and super- probably not attempt to pass through the distribution point, break. vise the situation there, break. checkpoint for fear of being detained and will probably turn around. This separates Intent: I want to prevent the armored BLACK 7, Move company trains to vehicles from entering our AO, break. food point to provide security to enable some of the known instigators and will lessen the potential of the crowd from I want the checkpoints to delay the pas- orderly distribution, break. Send fire becoming hostile. truck and pump unit to food point to sup- sage of non-combatants so that they will port in the event of a hostile crowd, Sending personnel and trucks in inter- not overwhelm the supply and food point, break. break. I will send the mortars to provide vals of 20 people and/or 2 trucks every you additional manpower, break. five minutes should keep the demonstra- I want to detain blacklisted personnel tors from initially overwhelming the food BLACK 2, Move to the food point and that attempt to pass through our check- provide dismounts to support security at point and allows the security personnel points, but I do not want you to aggres- there to establish order. sively pursue them if they flee, break. food point. Obtain further instructions from Black 7, break. I sent the 1SG to move the company I want to maintain observation on dump trains to the food point to provide security Coordinating Instructions trucks to ensure that they do not support to the relief personnel there. The com- insurgent operations, break. Detain any blacklisted personnel at- pany trains personnel and equipment are tempting to pass through checkpoints, capable of providing security with their All other personnel are free to continue to Breuchville within guidelines of UN break. M113s and M88. Accord, break. Use deadly force only in self-defense I attached the mortar platoon to the 1SG and to protect lives and critical equip- to provide additional manpower for secu- ment, break. rity of the food point. Based from experi- Tasks to Subordinate Units CSS ence in Operation Joint Endeavor in Bos- RED 1, Go with your Alpha section nia, the rules of engagement extremely past checkpoint 7 along south road, Company trains move to supply and limit the use of indirect fires. I do not break. food distribution site, break. foresee the need for mortars to support with indirect fires. Send your Bravo section past check- Command & Signal point 9 along north road, break. Establish I sent the fire truck and pump unit to the hasty checkpoints and use your vehicles I will be with Red’s Bravo section at CP food point to support in case the crowd 9, break. to physically block the road where there becomes hostile. is restricted terrain on both sides to pre- Blackhorse X-ray will remain in same vent the convoy from bypassing you, place. I sent the XO to the east at CP 11 because I feel that the situation there is the break. Upon inspection, cargo trucks and Acknowledge, over. second most important point and I want personnel can continue, but send them in him to control the situation there. intervals of two vehicles every five minutes, break. Order all armored vehicles to RATIONALE I will go to CP 9 in the north because I turn around or remain at checkpoints, have RED 1 to control the situation in the break. I sent one scout platoon and one tank south. platoon to areas along the roads where WHITE 1, Send your Alpha section to the terrain is severely restricted on both vicinity checkpoint 7 along south road sides so that the convoys cannot bypass with Red’s Alpha section and physically them. READER SOLUTION block the road to support Red’s hasty In the event that an armored vehicle checkpoint, break. does bypass the checkpoints west of the (Submitted by Student, Cavalry Leaders Send your Bravo section to vicinity river, another tank platoon is at the bridge Course 98-03) checkpoint 9 with Red’s Bravo section blocking both sides to prevent passage to along north road and physically block the the food point. I decided to put the tank road to support Red’s hasty checkpoint, platoon at the bridge instead of support- Guidons, this is Blackhawk 6. FRAGO break. ing 3rd Platoon because they really do follows, acknowledge, over. not need combat vehicles, but rather dis- GREEN 1, Move your platoon to the Situation: Two convoys of Athian in- Bruechville river bridge, 3.0 west and 1.0 mounts. Sending four BFVs and their surgents with BRDMs, OT-64s, and dismounts to establish a hasty checkpoint north from your hide position, break. Put should be able to control the situation. trucks are currently 10 kilometers to the your sections on both sides of the bridge west, moving down the roads leading to to prevent any armored vehicles that have The dump trucks may not have work in Checkpoints 9 and 7, break. Athian use of slipped through from reaching the supply the area of operations and are suspicious, APCs is in violation of UN accord, break. and food point, break but unless they actually participate in A crowd of approximately 200 pro-

60 ARMOR — November-December 1998

Athian sympathizers is approaching inform them they cannot enter Bruech- GREEN, Set in overwatch vic CP 7 to Bruechville from the east, current loca- ville, break. Inform them that unarmed assist RED, break. Make your tanks a tion from CP 11 west 2.0, break. There trucks and civilians can proceed to visible show of force, break. You are in are also 5 empty dump trucks located in Bruechville, but in no case will we allow command of CP 7 roadblock, break. On the woods vicinity CP 10, break. My read their APCs past our CPs, break. Negoti- my order you are to attack by fire to im- is that this is a coordinated effort to raid ate as necessary to separate the trucks and mobilize, then destroy if necessary, the NGO supply and food distribution women and children from the APCs, Athian APCs if they try to ignore the (SFD) point, break. The two armed con- break. If the APCs refuse to stop, you are roadblock and RED’s warning shots, voys are a diversion to focus our attention authorized to fire warning shots, then break. I say again, use only minimum away from the crowd, who will then use engage to immobilize, then engage to force in accordance with ROE. Acknowl- the dump trucks to raid the NGO SFD, destroy, break. Use minimum weapons edge, over. break. Athian insurgents are known to be systems to fire warning shots, starting suffering food shortages, break. Athians with small arms, break. Use pepper spray, DELTA TROOP KWs, Request you have not used violence up to this point, then smoke, then CS, if I authorize, to assist BLUE in crowd control operations break. Athian force approaching CP 9 separate civilians from APCs if you must vic HP SADDLE, break. Be prepared to consists of 3 BRDMs, 5 OT-64s, 12 GAZ engage APCs, break. I say again, use assist RED in destruction of Athian APCs trucks, and paramilitary forces armed only minimum force in accordance with vic CPs 7 and 9. Acknowledge, over. with RPGs and SA-7s, break. Athian ROE. Acknowledge, over. force approaching CP 7 consists of 5 MORTARS, Move to bridge in BRDMs, 6 OT-64s, 9 GAZ trucks, and BLUE, move two vehicle scout sec- Bruechville and block it to prevent all paramilitary force armed with RPGs and tions, the fire truck, and the TPU to the non-troop vehicular traffic, break. Allow SA-7s, break. Both convoys have women road vic HP SADDLE, break. Establish a civilian dismounts to pass after searching and children riding on the APCs, break. roadblock and civilian holding area for arms and blacklist personnel, break. Pro-Athian crowd west of CP 11 consists (CHA) to prevent the crowd from enter- Be prepared to fire smoke in support of of 200 dismounts with known Athian ing Bruechville and raiding the NGO line platoons, Acknowledge, over. blacklist personnel among the crowd, SFD, break. Move a two vehicle scout break. Dump trucks vic CP 10 consists of section to identify and secure in place the TOC, Blackhawk 5, inform squadron 5 civilian dump trucks with drivers, refugees from CP F east 2.0 to prevent of situation and my intent, break. Request break. Be advised we also have a group possible factional violence and protect OPCON of Delta Troop SWT, additional of refugees of unknown affiliation from them from harm, break. Have your dis- SWTs, release of CS authority, release of CP F east 2.0. Acknowledge situation, mounted patrol commandeer the five mortar firing authority, CA teams, and over. dump trucks and use them to reinforce SCO’s intent, break. Recommended your roadblock, break. Search and detain COA to squadron is to move a blocking Task Organization: No change within the dump truck drivers in the CHA, force west of the armed convoys while troop. Be advised we have one SWT on break. Halt crowd vic HP SADDLE and we fix them at the roadblock to allow the station, break. inform them that they cannot enter squadron to confiscate or destroy the Bruechville in an unorganized manner, unauthorized APCs, break. Coordinate Mission: No change, break. break. Use vehicle sights and LP/OPs to with civilian police, militia, and local identify crowd leaders and blacklist per- leaders to keep civilians off the streets Execution, Intent: My intent is to pro- sonnel, then dismount teams to snatch and to assist in crowd control or negotia- tect the NGO SFD point by preventing and detain them in the CHA, break. Ne- tions, break. Coordinate with NGO run- the Athians from entering Bruechville gotiate with crowd to defuse situation, ning SFD for emergency release of food with their convoys or the crowd, break. break. You are authorized to offer them to crowd, break. Collocate with the trains Success occurs when we fix the armed food that we will bring to them, break. If vic NGO SFD for additional security, convoys west of the river and control the crowd gets out of control, you are author- break. Acknowledge, over. crowd east of Bruechville with only use ized to use the KWs rotorwash, water BLACKHAWK 7, move the trains to of minimum force, break. I intend to have cannons, smoke grenades, pepper spray, squadron block the APCs from the west and, if I authorize, CS, to control dis- the NGO SFD point to provide security, break. Establish a CHA vic the NGO after we have fixed them, break. perse the crowd as necessary, break. SFD to process any civilians that ap- Break contact if the crowd gets out of Concept: We will establish roadblocks control and you have used nonlethal proach for food, break. Assist the NGO in the issue of food and/or medical supplies at CPs 7 and 9 to prevent Athian APC weapons, then reestablish subsequent to authorized civilians by providing secu- penetration of those CPs. We will estab- roadblocks to delay the crowd, break. I lish a roadblock vic HP SADDLE to pre- say again, use only minimum force in rity and crowd control, break. Search all civilians who attempt to enter the NGO vent the crowd from entering Bruechville accordance with ROE, break. Acknowl- SFD site for arms and blacklist personnel, en masse. We will also secure the NGO edge, over. SFD point, break. We will then negotiate break. Be prepared to move food to BLUE to defuse situation with crowd. with the Athians to defuse the situation WHITE, Set in overwatch vic CP 9 to Acknowledge, over. and allow squadron time to assist us with assist RED, break. Make your tanks a additional assets, Acknowledge, over. visible show of force, break. Take all I will collocate with BLUE vic HP commands from RED 1, break. On my SADDLE, break. RED, move one three vehicle scout sec- order, you are to attack by fire to immobi- tion to CP 7 and one to CP 9. Establish lize, then destroy, if necessary, Athian COORDINATING INSTRUC- roadblocks tied into severely restrictive APCs if they ignore the roadblock and TIONS: Use only minimum force in and restrictive terrain to prevent insurgent RED’s warning shots, break. I say again, accordance with ROE, break. Use of CS APCs from passing through CPs, break. use only minimum force in accordance is not authorized without my permission. Halt Athian columns at roadblocks and with ROE. Acknowledge, over. Acknowledge, over.

ARMOR — November-December 1998 61

TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-5 WHAT’S YOUR Zone Recon To LOA Steelers NEXT MOVE??

Situation: · A section (VIPER 2 and 3). mines) with difficult bypass on north side grid 119580. You are “Wolfpack 6,” the commander - One vehicle requires recovery vic of Delta Team, TF 3-37, with two tank 044580; the other vehicle is FMC - Last reported grid 112606. Last platoons and a mech platoon. Sunrise is at and a patrol is conducting dis- transmission at 0300: “CONTACT 0600, sunset at 1800. mounted reconnaissance vic NORTH, OUT!” No further con- 045594. tact. - Reported complex obstacle (triple- · C section (VIPER 1 and 5). Enemy: strand concertina with AT and AP Reported two BMPs stationary vic mines) running NE-SW with diffi- - The 52d MRB has seized Bensonville to cult bypass at SW end vic 059568; 076556 oriented S-SE at 0030; our north. It is set up in a deliberate de- wire/mine obstacle oriented NE- dismounted enemy activity vic SW vic 074587 at 0200. fense on the south side of the town in 055591. OBJ GREEN (encompassing OBJ YEL- - VIPER 1 destroyed vic 078588 at LOW and OBJ BLUE, which is east of - Last SITREP at 0445. 0230; all KIAs. YELLOW) oriented south. In OBJ YEL- · B section (VIPER 4 and 6). LOW, we expect an MRC(+). The TF S2 Continued on Page 54 templates that the enemy is established in - Reported point obstacle (wire and a well-prepared defense out of contact, with three MRPs in a horseshoe formation tied into the terrain and a dismounted infantry strongpoint on the west side of his defensive position. This strongpoint is templated to have an AT firing line composed of 2A45Ms and AT-5s. The enemy also has an extensive obstacle belt, three dismounted reconnaissance teams (DRT), and two CSOPs forward in the security zone (see map board with original enemy SITEMP and R&S graphics). The most probable and most dangerous course of action is for the enemy to courageously hold his defensive positions and die in place. He will attempt to piecemeal friendly units with obstacles and indirect fire and destroy them in his kill sack as they move through the restrictive NTC-like terrain north toward Ben- sonville. Friendly: TF Mission: As the main effort of the brigade’s attack on OBJ GREEN, TF 3- 37 attacks 310600AUG98 to seize OBJ YELLOW, vic 085595, to facilitate passage of follow-on forces that will gain control of Bensonville vic 130700. Last night the TF scout platoon, which had only six operational HMMWVs, infiltrated through the zone to attempt to reconnoiter enemy positions and obstacles. As of first light this morning, the TF TOC has lost communications with the scouts. Before the TOC lost communications with the scouts (VIPERS), it had received the following information:

40 ARMOR — September-October 1998 Steelers (Continued from Page 40) - VIPER 5 conducted dismounted attaches an engineer squad and an extra The time is now 1700, and the sun will reconnaissance and reported FIST to your company team to assist you set in an hour. Your assembly area is 3km tracked vehicle activity vic 100600 in your mission, and he orders you to south of the LD, and the LD is 10km at 0300; three T-80s (stationary in a position both FIST-Vs in OPs where they south of PL COWBOYS. The attack is hide position) vic 079609 at 0400. will be able to observe preparatory fires planned to begin with preparatory fires at - Last reported grid 062608, relayed on the objective. He reminds you that all 0600. You must act now! What do you through VIPER 2 at 0445. friendly elements, including scouts, must do? be at least 2 kilometers from any pre- Without a clearer picture of the enemy, planned targets because the brigade the TF commander believes that tomor- commander has given him MLRS sup- Requirement: row’s attack will be unsuccessful. He port for the attack. You have priority of wants you to assume the mission of the artillery fires until 0600, and you are pri- In 15 minutes or less, develop your scout platoon. At 1630, just as your 1SG mary shooter for AB0001 and AB0002 COA, and issue your FRAGO and any arrives at your assembly area with the prior to the attack. After completing your other reports you would submit. Readers LOGPAC, the TF commander issues a reconnaissance mission and positioning who submit their solutions to the scenario FRAGO directing you to conduct a force- your FIST-Vs in OPs, you will consoli- should provide the following: fragmen- oriented zone reconnaissance to LOA date your remaining forces at CP 7 and tary order to the company team, the ra- STEELERS to confirm or deny the S2’s fall in as the trail company team of the TF tionale behind your decision, and a sketch template. He wants you to reconnoiter all diamond during the attack. You may of your plan of action. E-mail your solu- NAIs; to identify the composition, dispo- leave FIST-Vs and dismounted OPs north tion to: [email protected]. sition, and array of enemy forces in OBJ of PL COWBOYS, but you must have mil, or mail your solution to Platoon and YELLOW and the obstacles in the secu- the rest of your company team positioned Company Team Doctrine Branch, rity zone; and to destroy CSOPs and any at CP 7 prepared to attack when the TF ATTN: ATZK-TDD-P, Fort Knox, KY other reconnaissance assets in zone. He comes through. 40121-5210.

54 ARMOR — September-October 1998 SOLUTIONS — TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-5

“Zone Recon To LOA Steelers” from the September-October 1998 issue of ARMOR

THE PROBLEM - Reported complex obstacle (triple- taches an engineer squad and an extra strand concertina with AT and AP FIST to your company team to assist you Situation: mines) running NE-SW with difficult in your mission, and he orders you to You are “Wolfpack 6,” the commander bypass at SW end vic 059568; disposition both FIST-Vs in OPs where they of Delta Team, TF 3-37, with two tank mounted enemy activity vic 055591. will be able to observe preparatory fires on the objective. He reminds you that all platoons and a mech platoon. Sunrise is at - Last SITREP at 0445. 0600, sunset at 1800. friendly elements, including scouts, must · B section (VIPER 4 and 6). be at least 2 kilometers from any pre- Enemy: planned targets because the brigade - Reported point obstacle (wire and commander has given him MLRS sup- The 52d MRB has seized Bensonville to mines) with difficult bypass on north our north. It is set up in a deliberate de- side grid 119580. port for the attack. You have priority of fense on the south side of the town in artillery fires until 0600, and you are pri- OBJ GREEN (encompassing OBJ YEL- - Last reported grid 112606. Last mary shooter for AB0001 and AB0002 LOW and OBJ BLUE, which is east of transmission at 0300: “CONTACT prior to the attack. After completing your YELLOW) oriented south. In OBJ YEL- NORTH, OUT!” No further contact. reconnaissance mission and positioning your FIST-Vs in OPs, you will consoli- LOW, we expect an MRC(+). The TF S2 · C section (VIPER 1 and 5). templates that the enemy is established in date your remaining forces at CP 7 and a well-prepared defense out of contact, - Reported two BMPs stationary vic fall in as the trail company team of the TF with three MRPs in a horseshoe forma- 076556 oriented S-SE at 0030; diamond during the attack. You may tion tied into the terrain and a dismounted wire/mine obstacle oriented NE-SW leave FIST-Vs and dismounted OPs north infantry strongpoint on the west side of vic 074587 at 0200. of PL COWBOYS, but you must have the rest of your company team positioned his defensive position. This strongpoint is - VIPER 1 destroyed vic 078588 at templated to have an AT firing line com- 0230; all KIAs. at CP 7 prepared to attack when the TF posed of 2A45Ms and AT-5s. The enemy comes through. VIPER 5 conducted dismounted re- also has an extensive obstacle belt, three - The time is now 1700, and the sun will dismounted reconnaissance teams (DRT), connaissance and reported tracked set in an hour. Your assembly area is 3km and two CSOPs forward in the security vehicle activity vic 100600 at 0300; three T-80s (stationary in a hide posi- south of the LD, and the LD is 10km zone (see map board with original enemy south of PL COWBOYS. The attack is SITEMP and R&S graphics). tion) vic 079609 at 0400. planned to begin with preparatory fires at The most probable and most dangerous - Last reported grid 062608, relayed 0600. You must act now! What do you course of action is for the enemy to cou- through VIPER 2 at 0445. do? rageously hold his defensive positions Without a clearer pic- and die in place. He will attempt to ture of the enemy, the piecemeal friendly units with obstacles TF commander be- and indirect fire and destroy them in his lieves that tomo rrow’s kill sack as they move through the restric- attack will be unsuc- tive NTC-like terrain north toward Ben- cessful. He wants you sonville. to assume the mission Friendly: of the scout platoon. At 1630, just as your 1SG TF Mission: As the main effort of the arrives at your assem- brigade’s attack on OBJ GREEN, TF 3- bly area with the LOG- 37 attacks 310600AUG98 to seize OBJ PAC, the TF com- YELLOW, vic 085595, to facilitate pas- mander issues a sage of follow-on forces that will gain FRAGO directing you control of Bensonville vic 130700. to conduct a force- Last night the TF scout platoon, which oriented zone recon- had only six operational HMMWVs, naissance to LOA infiltrated through the zone to attempt to STEELERS to confirm reconnoiter enemy positions and obsta- or deny the S2’s tem- cles. As of first light this morning, the TF plate. He wants you to TOC has lost communications with the reconnoiter all NAIs; to scouts. Before the TOC lost communica- identify the composi- tions with the scouts (VIPERS), it had tion, disposition, and received the following information: array of enemy forces in OBJ YELLOW and · A section (VIPER 2 and 3). the obstacles in the - One vehicle requires recovery vic security zone; and to 044580; the other vehicle is FMC destroy CSOPs and any and a patrol is conducting dis- other reconnaissance mounted reconnaissance vic 045594. assets in zone. He at-

52 ARMOR — January-February 1999

THE SOLUTIONS

Author’s Solution 112606 without reporting any contact; MRP and obstacle in those NAIs. Do not this tends to deny the presence of the become decisively engaged with the en- templated CSOP in NAI C112 and an emy’s main defense and consolidate at (NOTE: This solution is in the form of a obstacle and MRP in NAIs C107 and CP 7 NLT 0600. FRAGO from WOLFPACK 6, the com- C106 respectively. Based on this infor- Concept of the operation: mander of Delta Team, TF 3-37. The mation, I think he is probably weaker in team comprises two tank platoons and a the east than in the west. We will move quickly in a company mech platoon.) wedge, assuming risk to PL COWBOYS. Friendly: We must make contact with VIPER Before contact was lost, scout locations ASAP and use him to assist us through- SITUATION were reported as follows: out the mission. We will set vic PL COWBOYS, BLUE will move quickly General: · A section (VIPER 2 and 3): one vehicle needs recovery vic 044580; and begin to locate and destroy the DRT Last night, the TF scout platoon (VI- the other vehicle is FMC and is col- teams in zone. RED will move forward PERS), with six operational HMMWVs, located with the bent vehicle; patrol and destroy the CSOP in NAI C109. infiltrated through the zone to conduct is conducting dismounted recon- WHITE will move up and clear NAI reconnaissance of enemy positions and naissance vic NAI C103 (grid C112. With the CSOP and DRTs de- obstacles. As of first light, the TF TOC 045594). stroyed, the enemy will not have eyes on has lost communications with the scouts. our reconnaissance efforts tonight or our The attack is planned for tomorrow · B section (VIPER 4 and 6): last re- attack tomorrow. Then we will continue morning at 0600. Without confirmation ported at grid 112606; assumed to our reconnaissance and set FIST-Vs in of his IPB, the TF commander has seri- be zapped. OPs to observe AB0001 and AB0002. ous reservations about the enemy situa- · C section (VIPER 1 and 5): VIPER On order the engineers will breach the tion and scheme of maneuver for tomo r- 1 zapped vic 078588 at 0230 (all obstacle vic CP 8. NLT 0600, we will row’s attack. To ensure the operation’s KIAs); VIPER 5 is conducting dis- consolidate at CP 7 and conduct rearm success, he has directed us to complete mounted reconnaissance, last re- and refuel operations. Then we will fall in the mission of the scout platoon. ported grid 062608 at 0445 (relayed as the trail element of the TF diamond by VIPER 2). when the TF passes our location at 0700 on the attack to seize OBJ YELLOW Enemy: Additional graphic control measures: tomorrow morning. Intel update follows. Before contact was Maneuver: lost, the TF scouts reported the following Add the following graphic control enemy situation: measures: BLUE: You are initially the main effort. Lead company wedge to PL COW- · Complex obstacle (triple-strand · Platoon boundary along N-S grid line 09. BOYS. Move quickly to CP 7, dismount, concertina with AT and AP mines) and conduct a hasty DRT sweep to clear running NE-SW with difficult by- · PL OILERS along E-W grid line NAI C110. Once this is complete, re- pass at SW end vic 059568. 53. mount, and send one section and a FIST- · Dismounted enemy activity vic · CP 8 at 121572. V to NAI C113 and send one section to 055591 at 0445. NAI C111. You must move quickly to take out the enemy’s eyes. RED and · Point obstacle (wire and mines) with MISSION WHITE will overwatch your mounted difficult bypass on north side vic movement. Dismount your squads 1km 119580. south of each NAI and clear NAI C113 · Two stationary BMPs oriented S-SE Wolfpack conducts a zone reconnais- and C111. Use your dismounts to guide vic 076556 at 0030. sance NLT 301730AUG98 to LOA the FIST-V into a position vic 054555 STEELERS to destroy enemy reconnais- oriented on NAI 109 to call fires on the · Wire/mine obstacle oriented NE- sance forces, confirm or deny the pres- CSOP. Once DRT sweeps are complete, SW vic 074587 at 0200. ence of other enemy forces and obstacles establish a dismounted OP (OP1) vic · Tracked vehicle activity vic 100600 in zone, and establish OPs to observe 053563 to observe NAIs C103 and C104 at 0300. enemy defensive positions. Consolidate and a dismounted OP (OP2) vic 122552 at CP 7 NLT 0600. to observe NAIs C107 and C108. Use · Three T-80s stationary in hide posi- your vehicles to overwatch your dis- tion vic 079609 at 0400. Intent: mounts as much as possible. Your vehi- An obstacle in the west, although not Our main reconnaissance effort will be cles are the company reserve. Keep them templated, has been confirmed by the in the east, because I believe that is where at REDCON 1 and be prepared to react scouts. The enemy’s countermobility the enemy is weakest. I want to destroy quickly to FRAGOs from me. Leaving capabilities are not unlimited. If, as the DRTs and confirmed CSOP, observe your OPs in place, start your move back scouts report, there is a large complex NAIs C103, C104, C105, C108 to con- to CP 7 NLT 0500. Consolidate at CP 7 obstacle in the west, the enemy must be firm or deny templated enemy MRPs and NLT 0600. weak somewhere else. Additionally, VI- obstacles. I want to clear NAIs C106 and THUNDER 14: Move with BLUE. Set PER’s B section was able to maneuver to C107 to confirm or deny a templated vic 054555 oriented on NAI C109. On

ARMOR — January-February 1999 53

order, adjust fires on the CSOP in C109. WOLFPACK 5: Move with RED and complete your IPB, inform the TF com- After destroying the CSOP, move to a supervise the effort in the west. Call the mander that you believe that the enemy is position vic 046567 to serve as primary TF main and get retrans for our net. weakest in the east and recommend that shooter for AB0001 and AB0002. he begins developing a COA to attack in WOLFPACK 9: Request that the TF the east, to be executed pending the re- RED: Move on the left of the company immediately attach to us an additional sults of your reconnaissance. The recon- wedge. Set COWBOYS. Follow and engineer squad, two additional medic naissance information you gather and overwatch BLUE’s move to NAI C113. PCs, a fueler, and an ammo truck for this your recommended COA should provide Set vic PL OILERS. Once the FIST is set mission. They must move with us when him with sufficient information to make in a position to observe fires on NAI we leave this location. Follow the com- his final decision. C109, move forward and destroy reported pany team’s move and set the trains at CP CSOP at NAI C109. Make contact with 7. Conduct CSS operations from there. Sacrifice security for speed and assume VIPER 2 on his net, and send a section to Conduct rearm and refuel operations at risk in your movement to PL COW- recover his vehicle. Have him guide you CP 7 NLT 0600. BOYS. Make contact with VIPER ASAP in, if necessary. If recovery is not possi- and use them to help you. If any scouts WOLFPACK MG: You are the com- are still alive, you should be in communi- ble, ensure that all friendly elements, pany team relay and battle captain. Move including VIPER 5 (last reported to be cations range with them by the time you near AB0002), are at least 2 km from in my HMMWV with the trains. Ensure reach PL COWBOYS. If any scouts are that you maintain communications with alive, they have presumably been con- targets. Send your other section with the me and with the TF main. Keep accurate XO to set PL RAIDERS and observe the ducting continuous reconnaissance and obstacle reported by VIPER vic 074587. track of the battle and move to high surveillance since they lost communica- ground as necessary. Determine if there is a bypass on the NE tions with the TF main. They should have end. If there is no bypass, determine the I will move with WHITE. I need clarifi- at least some new information that will point of penetration. Move as stealthily as cation on the enemy situation in the east. help you. It is implied in your mission possible, and do not become decisively Keep me informed. What are your ques- that you assume operational control of the engaged. Start your move back to CP 7 tions? scouts. Issue them a FRAGO to conduct NLT 0500. Consolidate your platoon at detailed area reconnaissance of any un-

CP 7 NLT 0600. confirmed NAIs in OBJ YELLOW and RATIONALE help you confirm your IPB. Ensure all scouts are at least 2km from preplanned WHITE: Move on the right of the company wedge. Set PL COWBOYS. The three keys to the success of this targets and abandon disabled vehicles if Follow and overwatch BLUE’s move to mission are: necessary. Extract wounded scouts as NAI C111. Set vic PL OILERS. Once necessary. BLUE reports NAI C111 clear, you be- 1. Recognize that you can’t do every- thing. You must clarify the TF Clear DRTs to prevent them from ob- come the main effort. Move forward and serving your every move. Only dis- clear NAI C112. Send one section and commander’s PIR. Time is of the es- sence, and your resources are lim- mounts will be able to clear the DRTs. SAPPER 2 (engineer squad) to reconnoi- Your mechanized infantry platoon is your ter the point obstacle vic CP 8. Do not ited. Seek guidance from higher and focus your reconnaissance efforts. primary means of dismounted reconnais- risk being compromised. Assess the traf- sance. Use it to conduct DRT sweeps to ficability of that avenue of approach for 2. Fight the enemy, not the plan. You quickly take out the enemy’s eyes. If the attack. Bypass the obstacle and clear must quickly conduct a thorough DRTs are not cleared, they will call fires NAIs C107 and C106. Attempt to make IPB. Use reports from the scouts to to impede and harass your reconnaissance contact with VIPER’s B section and find update your sitemp. Plan off of your efforts throughout the night. Once it out what happened to that element. updated sitemp, not the original from completes its DRT sweeps, BLUE sets in Evacuate WIAs if necessary. Return to the S2. Continue to update your run- two short-term OPs (VISITS) to observe CP 8. On order breach the obstacle. Be ning estimate of the enemy situation NAIs, provide redundancy for preplanned prepared to leave that tank section and throughout the night and think from targets, and provide “reconnaissance engineer vehicle on site to secure the area the enemy’s perspective. Recom- pull” for the TF during tomorrow’s at- and keep that lane open. Have your other mend a COA to the commander tack. Use BLUE’s vehicles to act as the section set RAIDERS and observe NAIs based on the information you gather. company team reserve or quick reaction C108 and C105 to confirm or deny pres- 3. Use all assets available. Continue to force. FRAGO them as necessary. Use ence of obstacles and vehicles. Position BLUEs dismounts to guide in and set one THUNDER 24 (FIST) in an OP vic use available scouts to conduct reconnaissance and provide you with of the FIST-Vs in a position to overwatch 090573 to be the alternate shooter for NAI C109 and adjust fires on the CSOP AB0001 and AB0002. Start your move information on the enemy in OBJ YELLOW. Evacuate wounded and other targets of opportunity to facili- back to CP 7 NLT 0500. Consolidate tate your reconnaissance. BLUE must your platoon at CP 7 NLT 0600. scouts as necessary. Share information with reconnaissance assets from move quickly because you must clear DRTs before moving any other elements SAPPER 2: Move with WHITE. On your adjacent units, brigade reconnaissance assets, etc. north of PL OILERS. Otherwise you risk order, breach the obstacle vic CP 8. Be compromising your entire unit. prepared to remain on site, secure the After LOGPAC activities are com- area, and direct traffic through the lane. pleted, start your movement ASAP. Re- Destroy the CSOP confirmed by the quest clearer focus from the TF com- scouts in NAI C109 with a tank platoon THUNDER 24: Move with WHITE. mander. You must request additional and indirect fire called by the FIST-V Set vic 090573 and orient on NAI C103 assets (engineer, medics, fueler, and emplaced by BLUE. Clear C112 to en- and C104. You will be the alternate ammo truck) in order to accomplish your sure that there is not a CSOP there. This shooter for AB0001 and AB0002. mission and sustain your team. Once you will leave the enemy completely blind

54 ARMOR — January-February 1999

and allow you to continue your zone re- Reader’s Solution the east to go into the MRP kill sack. The connaissance toward OBJ Yellow. CSOP in 109 is intended to give early warning and to attrit us. You must get eyes on the obstacle in the (Submitted by CPT Ray M. Ceralde, In the eastern AA, the scouts haven’t western corridor. This is where the TF Korea) commander currently plans to attack. If seen anything in 112 so we can assume you cannot convince him to attack in the that the two BMPs in 109 are the CSOP east, he will attack in the west as planned TASK ORGANIZATION: for the MRC defense. The scouts proba- and expect you to provide him with the bly haven’t cleared 108, where there is a grid to the point of penetration where the RED – 1st Platoon (Tank) templated obstacle, but their report of tracked vehicle activity vicinity of 105 obstacle is weakest. WHITE – 2d Platoon (Tank) indicates that there is an MRP defending Physically clear NAIs C106 and C107. BLUE – 3d Platoon (Mech) this AA. I’m pretty sure that 108 is the location of this MRP’s kill sack. Since If you can deny the presence of an MRP FRAGO: Delivered face to face with and obstacle there, you may convince the 1s, 4s, and attachments while CO/TM the MRC has put a great deal of effort TF commander to attack there. With into the turning obstacle in the west, I do conducts LOGPAC activities, and brief- not think that there is an extensive obsta- some further reduction by the engineers, ing off a 1:50,000 map and a dry erase the bypass on the north side of the point board. cle here. obstacle may be a viable avenue of ap- Situation. Scouts conducted zone re- The gap in the far east is blocked by a proach for the attack tomorrow. Use of point obstacle. The scouts found a diffi- this avenue, if successful, would also connaissance up to PL STEELERS last cult bypass around it but I’m sure that serve to isolate OBJ YELLOW and pre- night. The task force has lost commo with them. However, these are the reports somebody is overwatching this obstacle. vent the enemy from repositioning forces It may be an MRP (-) or a single vehicle from OBJ BLUE (east of OBJ YEL- they sent back before we lost contact. and they may have let the scouts through LOW) into OBJ YELLOW. The scouts reported the following en- to prevent their detection and/or deceive emy activities: us that this obstacle is not covered. This Reconnoiter the obstacle at CP 8. Be- MRP(-) may be defending this obstacle ware of enemy overwatching the obsta- - Two BMPs, stationary, oriented SSE at 076556, NAI C109. vicinity the 1257 grid square oriented cle. The enemy should have eyes on the west or defending in 106. obstacle. Be careful and do not risk com- Three T-80s, stationary, in a hide po- - The scouts haven’t found any DRT promising your forces and your plan. If sition vicinity 079609, NAI C104. possible, bypass the obstacle initially and teams, especially in NAIs 110, 111, and clear C106 and C107. If the NAIs are - Tracked vehicle activity vicinity 113. I still think that there is one DRT clear, prepare to breach the obstacle at CP 100600, NAI C105. team out there, however. 8. Do not breach too early, because you - Enemy dismount activity vicinity As far as the friendly situation goes, Vi- may compromise your intentions and 055591, templated strongpoint, NAI per 1 has been zapped and Vipers 4 and 6 allow him time to replace the obstacle. C103. made direct fire contact, and we haven’t heard from them since. As of the last The scouts confirmed tracked vehicle The scouts reported the following obsta- report, four scout vehicles are still alive cles: noises at NAI C105, but they neither with one requiring recovery at 044580. confirmed nor denied the presence of the - Wire and mine obstacle consisting of All of the scout vehicles are north of PL templated obstacle in NAI C108. Use a triple-strand concertina, AT and AP RAIDERS. tank section from WHITE and your vehi- mines. Oriented SW to NE starting Our attachments are an extra FIST-V cle to conduct mounted reconnaissance from a difficult bypass at 059568 go- along the eastern mobility corridor. Use ing NE for an unknown length. and an engineer squad. BLACK 1, take the standoff distance of your thermal one of your FIST-Vs to go with RED and sights to observe NAIs C108 and C105 to - Wire and mine obstacle 074587 ori- the other one to go with WHITE. BLUE confirm or deny presence of the tem- ented NE to SW. This obstacle most 1, take SAPPER 12 (engineer squad) plated obstacle and MRP. Then set the likely ties in with the previous obsta- with you. cle and both of them combined are second FIST-V in a position where it can Our mission is to conduct a force- observe the preplanned targets and pro- probably an extensive turning obsta- oriented zone reconnaissance to destroy cle. vide redundancy as the alternate shooter. enemy security forces and to recon point If you visually clear NAI C108 and deny - Point obstacle consisting of wire and obstacles from PL COWBOYS to PL the presence of an obstacle there, you will mines with difficult bypass on north RAIDERS starting at 1800 in order to have further support for recommending side at 119580. This obstacle is most support the task force’s reconnaissance that the TF attack in the east rather than probably blocking the gap at 120573. effort. the west. I think that the enemy is defending the My intent is that we are completing the Do not allow mounted movement north western avenue of approach (AA) as his scout’s zone recon, not redoing it. There of PL RAIDERS in the central mobility main effort. His AT weapons are cover- are plenty of tasks that we have to do, but corridors without your authorization, ing an extensive turning obstacle that will I have prioritized the most important because, based on your IPB, PL RAID- try to force us to go north and straight ones. If we can re-establish commo with ERS is most likely the southern edge of into the kill sack of an MRP or tank pla- the remaining scouts, our mission be- the enemy’s kill sack. Using this control toon vicinity 104. The AT fires will have comes much easier because the scouts measure will prevent friendly vehicles flank shots on us as we go north to avoid can continue their recon up to PL from driving into the enemy’s kill sack the obstacle. The strongpoint is there to STEELERS and provide us updated re- and becoming decisively engaged by his protect the AT firing line and force us to ports. The end state is that we have de- main defense. stay off the western ridge and keep us in stroyed the CSOP, reconned the point

ARMOR — January-February 1999 55

obstacle in the gap, identified the DRTs, commander decides to attack through perform all the tasks, but some are impor- cleared designated NAIs, and positioned here for tomorrow’s attack. BLUE, your tant enough to support the TF com- the FIST-Vs ready to observe AB0001 section will provide overwatch for SAP- mander’s purpose, which is to enable the and AB0002. Also, we are ready to fall in PER to protect them during their recon. S2 to determine the enemy template. as the trail CO/TM for the TF. Additionally, observe for any enemy forces guarding this obstacle. My plan is based on the assumption that At 1800, be at REDCON 1 ready to there are scouts still remaining and who move out of here. We’ll cross the LD in a WHITE 1, work and talk with BLUE’s can continue to perform reconnaissance. wedge formation using the traveling section and use bounding overwatch to If I can re-establish contact with the re- overwatch method, with BLUE leading cover their moves as they clear 111, 112 maining scouts, and they can continue and RED trailing in the west and WHITE and the obstacle at CP D8. When 112 is their zone recon to PL STEELERS, they trailing in the east. CO trains will trail in clear, go to CP D6 and send the FIST-V can execute the other half of the mission the center behind RED and WHITE. I’ll to position on the ridge about 1 km west that the TF commander wants me to ac- assume risk and sacrifice security for of CP D6 to observe fires on AB0001. complish. Additionally, they can provide speed while moving up to PL COW- Additionally, observe NAI 108 from CP additional reports since the past day about BOYS. After crossing PL COWBOYS, D6 to see if there are any enemy or ob- what they have discovered that we do not be deliberate and cautious in your move- stacles there. know yet. If I can’t contact the scouts or ment. BLUE and SAPPER, once you’ve re- if they are all destroyed, I will continue the mission only to recon the areas that I BLUE 1, set vicinity CP7 and send your conned the obstacle, move back to CP D3 don’t have a good read on, such as NAIs dismounts to clear NAI 110 in order to using a series of bounds to overwatch deny DRTs the use of this key terrain. each other. WHITE, work with BLUE to 106 and 108. Also, I want you to try to re-establish cover their moves back. When BLUE is Based on the scout’s reports and making commo with the scouts on their net. They set at CP D3, move back to CP D2. some deductions, such as about the turn- may be simply out of range, and we BLUE and WHITE, from your positions, ing obstacle in the west, the intel picture should be close enough to contact them continue to overwatch NAI 112 to report is over halfway complete. With that, I from here. any new enemy activity. prioritized which NAIs we need to clear, what enemy to destroy, and what obsta- When 110 is clear, BLUE 1, split one Here’s the coordinating instruction for section to go west with RED and one to everybody. The TF commander wants us cles to recon to enable the S2 to confirm or deny the enemy template. go east with WHITE. to consolidate at CP 7 once we’ve completed our recon. I think it’s because he In order to gain a foothold, I need to BLUE section and RED 1, you will wants all available combat power in the clear NAI 110 first. From there, I have conduct a raid on the CSOP at 109 to destroy it in order to deny the enemy AA the TF attacks. On order, move to CP RED and BLUE conduct a raid to destroy 7 where we will consolidate. From there, the CSOP in the west. I have the BFVs from using his security elements. Here’s we will fall in as the trail CO/TM in the guide the tanks in because they can locate my guidance. BLUE, have your section move toward CP D4. I want you to fix TF attack. and fix the CSOP, making it easier for the tanks to locate and destroy it. I use a raid the CSOP from the support by fire posi- BLACK 7, move the CO trains to CP 7 for this operation because I do not intend tion vicinity CP D4 to allow RED to de- once 110 is clear. Request the FAS to stroy it. RED 1, talk to BLUE’s section move closer to CP 7 and request for an to hold that ground; the enemy probably has a pre-planned artillery target there. so they can guide you in to assault the additional M113 attached to us for Destroying the CSOP here will allow the CSOP. I will be with RED to control the casevac. Request an additional fueler and action here. ammo HEMMT to be attached to us for TF to attack unimpeded. RED 1, after you destroy all enemy in tomorrow’s attack, and be prepared to In the east, I sent BLUE’s other section conduct a hot refuel and rearm during to clear NAI 111 to ensure that there are 109, move back to CP D1 to overwatch tomorrow’s attack. no DRTs. I then have them recon the BLUE’s section. BLUE 1, at CP D4, send your dismounts to clear 113 to deny BLACK 5, go in the east with WHITE point obstacle because we need to determine if a breach through here will sup- DRTs use of this terrain. Once 113 is to control the maneuver there. Keep at- port the TF’s attack. I did not send them clear, keep your dismounts there. Their tempting to make contact with the scouts. mission is to observe 103 and 104 to pro- I assume that they already know, but past PL RAIDERS to clear NAIs 105 and 108 because I believe that this would put vide early warning if the enemy situation remind them to be at least 2 km away them in a suspected MRP kill sack. changes. BLACK 1, send one of your from the pre-planned MLRS targets by FIST-Vs to position vicinity 113 to ob- 0600. For the scout vehicle requiring When RED, WHITE, and BLUE had serve AB0002. BLUE, keep your section recovery, order them to destroy it if it completed their missions, I positioned in the vicinity of CP D4 and continue to can’t move out before 0600. them just north of PL COWBOYS con- overwatch 109 to ensure that it remains ducting a screen mission to allow them to I’ll be in the west with RED. What are clear. your questions? continue observation but close enough to CP 7 to consolidate for tomorrow’s at- BLUE, send your eastern section to CP tack. D3 and send your dismounts to clear 111 in order to deny DRTs use of this terrain. RATIONALE: The instructions I gave to the platoons WHITE 1, overwatch BLUE’s section in Since the TF commander has issued were not extremely specific but I gave order to protect them. Once clear, take vague guidance, and assuming that I can- them enough guidance so they can exe- your dismounts back and move your sec- not contact him for clarification, I would cute using their own initiative. In situation to CP D5 and clear 112. Next go to have to prioritize tasks and execute the tions where time is critical and there is CP D8. SAPPER 12, recon the point ob- most important ones. This is not disobey- minimal preparation time, initiative and stacle to determine if mechanized forces ing orders but maintaining a purpose clearly defined tasks and purposes are can move through a breach if the TF orientation. It is probably unrealistic to important to success.

56 ARMOR — January-February 1999

TACTICAL VIGNETTE 98-6 WHAT’S

YOUR Cobra’s Counterreconnaissance Fight NEXT MOVE??

Situation: You are the company team commander of Cobra Team (tank heavy), TF 3-37. Your team consists of two M1A1 tank platoons (1st and 3rd Pla- toons), both at full strength, and one mechanized infantry (BFV) platoon (2nd Platoon), which has three operational BFVs. Your TF is comprised of two armor company teams (Apache and Cobra) and one mechanized infantry company team (Battle Masters). Your TF is defending in sector, and the brigade commander wants your TF to protect the western flank of TF 2-10, the brigade main effort. Prior to 1500 yesterday, you prepared your battle position for the main defensive battle. You assumed the counter-recon mission from Apache Team at 1500 yesterday. During the night, Apache Team destroyed three vehicles from the enemy’s division reconnaissance. The TF scout platoon (with six HMMWVs) was already established in three long-term OPs in depth forward of PL TENNES- SEE. Currently, you have 1st and 2nd Pla- toons (at 50% security) arrayed along PL CAROLINA, ready to react to spot reports from the scouts. 3rd Platoon’s Al- pha section is manning passage point CHARLIE on the north end of the passage lane and controlling all traffic into and out of the security area. The remainder of your company team is in a hide position co-located with your command post. You have priority of fires. The TF scout platoon is attached to your company team until you withdraw from your counter-reconnaissance mission. Upon your withdrawal, scouts remain in place and revert to TF control. Your company team has had no contact from the scouts that two BRDMs are REQUIREMENT

with the enemy until around 0330, when moving south on AA2 vic WT132809 scouts report one BMP-1 vic WT095813 and scouts are observing four unidenti- Develop your COA and issue your moving south on AA1. The 1st Platoon’s fied hotspots moving south vic FRAGO and any other reports you would Alpha section reacts, and at 0400 you get WT095862. submit. Readers who submit their solu- the following report from RED 4: “RED The TF commander stated in the tions to the scenario should provide the slant 2, Alpha section engaged but did not following: fragmentary order to the com- destroy 1 BMP, last seen moving south OPORD that you are to withdraw your pany team, the rationale behind your de- company team NLT 0500, signal the vic grid WT086793. Alpha section has engineers to close the lane behind your cision, and a sketch of your plan of ac- one vehicle with severe track damage, tion. E-mail your solution to: Has- one fully mission capable vehicle stuck in last vehicle, rearm and refuel, and occupy [email protected], or your BP ready to defend with all 14 vehi- a wadi, and a total of four wounded sol- cles NLT 0600. mail your solution to Platoon and Com- diers vic WT097786. Bravo section set pany Team Doctrine Branch, ATTN: PL CAROLINA.” Just as RED 4 finishes Time is now 0403. You must act now! ATZK-TDD-P, Fort Knox, KY 40121- his transmission, you receive a report What do you do? 5210.

ARMOR — November-December 1998 57 SOLUTIONS — Tactical Vignette 98-6

“Cobra’s Counterreconnaissance Fight,” from the November-December 1998 issue of ARMOR

Author’s Solution BLUE: Send your Alpha section imme- 5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL diately and set vicinity CP 3. Orient N- NW. The BMP that engaged RED will a. Command: I will move with BLUE’s Bravo section and the medic PC “Guidons, guidons, this is COBRA Six. probably continue to move south along to set vicinity CP 3. Keep me informed. FRAGO follows, break…” the western wall. I will move with this section. Send your Bravo section to set We must cross-talk to prevent fratricide. 1. SITUATION vicinity CP 4. This section will serve as b. Signal: Far recognition signal is FM the safety net for the two BRDMs if they voice. Near recognition signal is two Friendly: slip through WHITE. Cross-talk with infrared flashes returned by three infrared RED’s Alpha section engaged but did WHITE to prevent fratricide. flashes. not destroy 1 BMP, last seen moving south vicinity grid WT086793. Alpha SCOUT 6: Stay on my net and update “ACKNOWLEDGE” reports on any enemy activity that your section has one vehicle with severe track element identifies. You have priority of damage, one vehicle stuck in a wadi, and RATIONALE fires. Be prepared to call for indirect fires a total of four wounded soldiers vicinity on all enemy elements you identify. You WT097786. are my overwatch element. Cross-talk To meet the TF commander’s intent, you have one hour to successfully ac- Enemy: with WHITE and RED on their internal complish the following: nets to conduct a video handoff of the Scouts report: BMP and two BRDMs. Update me fre- 1. Destroy all enemy reconnaissance · Two BRDMs are moving south on quently on those four hotspots, a possible elements in your security area. AA2 vicinity WT132809 at 0400. CRP. 2. Recover your vehicles and evacuate wounded soldiers. · Four unidentified hot spots moving COBRA BAND AID: Move with me south vicinity WT095862 at 0400. to vicinity CP 3. From there you will 3. Withdraw your company team, and be prepared to defend from your BP with assist as needed in treatment and evacua- all of your vehicles. 2. MISSION tion of casualties. The BMP and two BRDMs are most No change. COBRA 5: Move to PP CHARLIE and control traffic flow there. Begin move- likely elements of the enemy’s regimental 3. EXECUTION reconnaissance. The four unidentified hot ment of the trains to the BP. Keep me spots are probably one of the combat Commander’s intent: informed of status. Ensure sappers are prepared to close the lane immediately reconnaissance patrols leading the enemy No change. attack. upon our withdrawal. Get a status on a. Concept of the operation: WHITE’s fourth vehicle. We need to Scouts will maintain contact with the have it in the BP by 0600. BMP and BRDMs as long as they can. (1) Scheme of maneuver. Evacuate RED’s casualties, recover his vehicles, COBRA 9: Move the trains to our BP You must get your killers in position to conduct a “video” handoff from the and destroy any known enemy vehicles in and conduct CSS operations from there. scouts before they lose contact with the our AO, all in less than 1 hour. NLT Coordinate for a hasty rearm and refuel 0500, start movement to PP CHARLIE. there immediately upon our arrival at the BMP and BRDMs. The current “gap” between the hunters and the killers is too NLT 0530, have all elements passed BP. large. If scouts lose contact with the en- through PP CHARLIE, signal engineers to close the lane, rearm and, refuel behind c. Coordinating instructions: emy before they can hand him off to the killers, the enemy may slip through un- our BP, and be established in our BP Add the following additional graphic harmed. Depending on the terrain, you ready to defend NLT 0600. control measures to the current overlay, which remains in effect: may not regain contact with the enemy (2) Fires. Scouts have priority of fires to until it is too late. delay and disrupt enemy reconnaissance CP 1 – WT097786 NOTE: The counterreconnaissance assets entering our security area. Send all CP 2 – WT130790 mission requires extensive IPB. It should calls for fire through me. CP 3 – WT083763 be fought primarily as a defensive mis- b. Tasks to subordinate units: sion from positions of advantage along CP 4 – WT130760 likely enemy avenues of approach; there RED 4: Move your section as quickly as possible to recover your Alpha section We must initiate our withdrawl NLT should be sufficient depth and redundancy of observation and fields of fire vicinity CP 1 and evacuate wounded sol- 0500, move all elements through PP within the security area. Therefore, the diers. Since you will be towing the dis- CHARLIE NLT 0530, signal the engi- abled tank, you will be the last vehicle neers to close the lane behind our last commander should position his elements to maximize coverage of likely avenues through the passage lane. vehicle, rearm and refuel behind the BP, of approach and minimize the require- occupy our BP, and be ready to defend WHITE: Move toward CP 2. Find and with all vehicles NLT 0600. ment for friendly movement. By mini- destroy the two BRDMs identified by the mizing friendly movement, the com- scouts on AA2. Cross-talk with the mander also reduces the risk of fratricide. 4. SERVICE SUPPORT scouts. Do not cross PL TENNESSEE Optimally, the hunters provide the killers without my permission. No change. with early warning (on their platoon in-

ARMOR — March-April 1999 53 ternal net) and continuously track the for the four unidentified hot spots will RED and WHITE. The BMP will proba- enemy, providing real-time updates of most likely be designated as PIR for the bly attempt to infiltrate south along the enemy activity as he enters and passes TF commander. western wall to conduct reconnaissance through the security area. The hunters of our defensive positions and obstacles. maintain contact with the enemy and 2. Send RED’s Bravo section to recover Therefore, position BLUE’s Alpha sec- conduct a “video” handoff to the killers, its Alpha section and evacuate the tion against the western wall to block who destroy the enemy with a simple, wounded soldiers because it is closest and potential enemy penetration. gunnery-style defensive engagement. In can be there quickest. If Bravo section encounters the BMP, it is capable of de- 5. Bring the medic PC up with you and this scenario, if the killers had been posi- position it on PL CAROLINA. If RED tioned vicinity PL TENNESSEE to en- stroying the enemy vehicle, although this gage targets on AA1 and AA2, and there is not Bravo’s primary mission. The M88 has any urgent casualties, the senior aid- is in the hide position and is too slow to man can transfer them to the medic PC was depth within the security area from and begin treatment while en route to the the beginning of the operation, we would move up, conduct recovery, and get back probably not be in this situation now. in time. FAS. You are assuming risk by sending your 1SG and trains to the BP. If you take Delegating specific tasks to each section 3. Send WHITE to destroy the BRDMs additional casualties or require additional allows you to conduct many tasks simu l- on AA2 because it is closest and can be recovery, you will have to conduct it taneously. there quickest. You need to conduct a without assistance from the 1SG or com- “video” handoff of the BRDMs from the pany trains assets if you are to meet your 1. You have the TF scout platoon at- scouts to WHITE. If scouts lose contact timeline. tached to your company team. It has the with the BRDMs before they can hand capability of providing overwatch for them off to WHITE, the enemy may slip 6. Throughout this operation, especially your entire company team; use it to pro- through. You may not regain contact with upon withdrawal, cross-talk is a key fac- vide overwatch as you conduct your tasks them until it is too late. tor in preventing fratricide. Position your and withdraw your company team. Since XO at the passage point to control traffic, you have priority of fires, the scouts can 4. Send BLUE’s sections up to PL keep you informed, maintain also impede, harass, suppress, and possi- CAROLINA to add depth to your cover- communications with the TF, and bly destroy enemy reconnaissance ele- age of the security zone and to serve as a coordinate with the engineers to close the ments. Also, the activity and composition safety net in case the enemy slips through lane after you have withdrawn.

54 ARMOR — March-April 1999

TACTICAL VIGNETTE 99-1 WHAT’S YOUR NEXT FORGING STEEL — MOVE?? Exploiting a Brigade’s Success

Situation: Enemy: Task Organization You are “Hammer 6,” the Task Division intelligence reports indicate Force commander of TF 1-40, (BDE there is a key bridge site along the Reserve), with two tank teams river Quasimodo that must be se- Tm A (M1A2) and one mech team. cured. The bridge site is currently un- The brigade just conducted a delib- defended and is the only way across Tm B erate attack against a stationary en- the river. An enemy MIBN (6 T-80s emy mechanized infantry battalion and 15 BMPs) is moving west toward Tm C (MIBN) on Objective Anvil. Objective the bridge with an ETA of 40 minutes. In the south, your scout #3 reports Anvil is located three kilometers to B En (-) 2 volcanos the west of PL Red. The brigade’s enemy vehicles, 2 T-80 tanks and 5 attack was a success. However, it BMPs, moving northeastward. These encountered less resistance than vehicles are suspected remnants expected and the reserve, TF 1-40, from the MIBN defeated on Objective heim. Before scout #1 could pass any was not committed. Anvil and are most likely moving to- further information, radio contact was wards the bridge site in an attempt to lost. The other two task forces of the bri- secure the bridge and defend it until gade are currently consolidating and the MIBN from the east can reinforce reorganizing along PL Red. Your task them. In the north, scout #1 reported TF Mission: force is postured in Tactical Assem- 2 tanks vicinity grid 040205 and a The brigade commander wants to bly Area Pittsburg 2 km west of PL small dust cloud behind them moving capitalize on the success of his attack Red. southwest out of the town of Dirk- and he wants your TF to exploit that success! The commander issues a FRAGO to your TF. Your mission, Hammer 6, is to attack to secure the bridge site on Objective Steel. DIRKHEIM N

PL RED You have priority of FA fires (1 DS Bn with DPICM/HE/Smoke). You PL BLUE (LOA) 21 will also have 2 sorties of A-10s II Quasimodo Dust Trails loaded with Mavericks on station in 20 15 minutes. You must act now! Sct 1 What do you do! MIBN(-) Estimate 40 minutes to bridge 19 Requirement: AA Sct 2 Pittsburg 18 You have ten minutes to assess OBJ STEEL the situation and formulate a 1 40 FRAGO. Issue your FRAGO as if 17 talking on the radio to your company commanders. Submit your

Sct 3 16 solutions to the Bn/Bde Branch by e-mail at: BilaferJ@ftknox-dtdd- emh5.army.mil, or mail your solu- 15 tion to ARMOR, ATTN: ATZK- II 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 TDM, Fort Knox, KY 40121-5210.

ARMOR — January-February 1999 51

SOLUTION — Tactical Vignette 99-1

“FORGING STEEL — Exploiting a Brigade’s Success” from the January-February 1999 issue of ARMOR

(Note: There was a mistake in this tac- follow-on forces to cross the bridge to flank. Then support-by-fire vicinity cen- tical vignette when it ran in the Jan-Feb continue the attack. The endstate is the ter-of-mass grid 042172, orient north- 99 issue. The second paragraph, second bridge and OBJ STEEL secured with east, to assist securing the near side of sentence should have read, “OBJ AN- two companies securing the far side and OBJ STEEL. On order, follow TM A VIL is located three kilometers to the one company in depth securing the near and defend the southern half of OBJ east of PL Red,” instead of west.) side and the task force prepared to repel STEEL, south of the 18-grid line, to assist in protecting the bridgehead. the enemy battalion’s attack. Concept of Operations. We will cross TM A (on-order main effort). On or- Author's Solution PL RED in a vee formation with TM C der, seize and defend the far side of OBJ in the north, TM B in the south, and TM STEEL to allow the brigade to continue SITUATION. A followed by the Engineer Company in the attack. Be prepared to defend the the rear. CAS will delay the attacking entire far side of the bridgehead if TM B Enemy. The enemy defense along OBJ enemy battalion and artillery will focus is unable to cross the bridge in time. Be ANVIL has collapsed. It appears that on the enemy company in the south. TM prepared to reinforce TM Cs blocking of remnants of the enemy mechanized in- C will seize the near side of OBJ the mobility corridor in the vicinity of fantry battalion are falling back and try- STEEL and the bridge while protecting grid 061194. ing to secure the bridge over the Quasi- the task force northern flank. TM B will B Company Engineers. Follow TM modo River while another battalion is destroy the southern enemy company approaching from the west to reestablish A, secure the bridge after TM A has and then support-by-fire to assist in se- crossed. Coordinate emplacement of a defense. Scout #3 reports two T-80s curing the near side of OBJ STEEL. TM and five BMPs moving northeastward in VOLCANO minefields in support of A will cross the bridge after it is secured TM A, execution is on-order. the vicinity grid 028152. Scout #1 re- by TM C, then defend the far side ported two T-80s vicinity grid 040205 against the attacking enemy battalion. Mortars. Follow TM C. Occupy posi- moving southwest out of the town of On order, TM B will cross the bridge to tion vicinity grid 035186. Initial priority Dirkheim, followed by small dust assist defending the far side of the of fires is TM C in order to suppress and clouds. We have lost contact with Scout bridge in the south. obscure enemy forces approaching from #1. An enemy battalion consisting of six the north or at the bridge. As the main T-80s and 15 BMPs is moving west Concept of Fires. We have priority of effort shifts from TM C to TM A, prior- toward OBJ STEEL, estimated arrival artillery fires and two sorties of A-10s ity of mortar fires shifts to TM A in or- time is 40 minutes. I believe the enemy loaded with Mavericks on station in 15 der to suppress and obscure enemy company in the south is attempting to minutes. Priority of artillery fires is to forces on the far side of the bridge. secure the bridge on OBJ STEEL. The Scout #3 to delay the enemy company in enemy battalion in the west will likely the south. On order, artillery priority of Scout. Attempt to reestablish contact attempt to secure the bridge and reestab- fires shift to TM B. Once TM B has with Scout #1 now. Reposition Scout #2 lish a coherent defense along the river. destroyed the enemy company, priority to the north to observe the unidentified The unidentified force from Dirkheim of artillery fires is to TM A to assist in enemy force reported by Scout 1. will most likely defend the gap between delaying enemy battalion and defending Scout #1 and Scout #2 or move to se- the bridgehead. Mortar priority of fires SERVICE SUPPORT. Task force cure the bridge. is to TM C, on order TM A. CAS will trains remain in AA PITTSBURG. Re- engage the enemy battalion to provide supply IAW with SOP. Friendly. The brigade is reorganizing us the time needed to secure the far side along PL RED. The brigade commander of OBJ STEEL. COMMAND AND SIGNAL. I will intends to continue the attack by secur- move with TM C, then with TM A. TF ing OBJ STEEL for future operations. Tasks to Subordinate Units. S3 moves TM B. Task force TOC re- MISSION. TF 1-40 attacks to secure TM C (initial main effort). Seize the mains in AA PITTSBURG. Signal is no the bridge on OBJ STEEL to allow the near side of OBJ STEEL and secure the change. brigade to continue the attack. bridge to protect the forward passage of TM A. Support-by-fire vicinity grid We move in 15 minutes. Acknowledge EXECUTION. 061194, orient east, to protect the cross- over. Intent. Our purpose is to secure the ing and deployment of TM A. Clear the bridge over the Quasimodo River. This bridge to support the crossing of TM A. RATIONALE. provides the brigade a significant tacti- Block the mobility corridor vicinity grid Success of the task force mission rests cal advantage for future operations. We 045192 to protect the northeastern flank on securing the bridge to support the must delay the attacking enemy battal- of the task force. Primary observer for brigade’s future operations. Securing the ion in order to gain time to secure the fires against the enemy battalion until bridge means the task force must secure bridgehead. We must defeat the retreat- TM A is deployed. ing enemy company in the south. Then, we must secure the far side of the bridge TM B. Destroy the enemy company in to provide sufficient maneuver space for the south to protect TM Cs southern Continued on next page

50 ARMOR — May-June 1999

Solution (Continued from previous page) the far side of OBJ STEEL to provide just before or just as the task force gets the required maneuver space for follow- there. The enemy battalion has to be on brigade forces to move out of the delayed. We used the two A-10s to de- bridgehead. The task force must send lay the enemy battalion. These two air- maneuver forces to seize the far side. craft should delay the enemy as well as Further maneuver forces on the far side inflict some damage. This delay proof the bridge must be strong enough to vides the task force the time needed to defend against the attacking enemy bat- deploy TM A, the most lethal company talion. in the task force, to the far side of the objective. Any additional delay of the There are three threats the task force enemy battalion should provide enough must overcome to secure the bridge. The time for the deployment of TM B to the first is the retreating enemy company in far side. But if TM B does not have time the south. The enemy company poses a to get to the far side, TM A has the serious threat to the mission if it gets to combat power to defend against the en- the bridge before the task force. At only emy battalion. four kilometers away from the bridge, the enemy company will arrive at the The final threat is from the unknown bridge before the task force. We used enemy force approaching from the north artillery, adjusted by Scout #3, to delay out of the town of Dirkheim. Because this enemy company until it can be en- the task force has lost communications gaged. This enemy company must be with Scout #1 the enemy force’s exact destroyed to prevent it from interfering composition and actions are not known. with the continuing attack. We tasked We assumed some risk against this TM B to destroy this enemy company. threat. It is likely TM C can handle this With two tank platoons and one mecha- enemy threat. If the enemy force moves nized infantry platoon, TM B has the toward the bridge, then TM C will have combat power to quickly destroy the to destroy it prior to securing the bridge. enemy company and then be available If the enemy force turns east towards PL for other tasks like assisting TM A with RED, the other two task forces can defending the far side of the bridge. eliminate it. TM C with two mechanized infantry platoons, a tank platoon, and a The second threat is the enemy battal- combat engineer platoon has the combat ion approaching from the west. The power and support to block the mobility enemy battalion is expected to arrive in corridor north of OBJ STEEL, clear the about 40 minutes. This means the enemy bridge, and overwatch the far side of the battalion is likely to arrive at the bridge bridge.

WHAT’S TACTICAL VIGNETTE 99-2 YOUR

NEXT The Passage at Wilcox MOVE??

SITUATION You are the company team commander of Barbarians Team (mech-heavy), TF 3-68 AR. The task force, which is conducting a movement to contact, is composed of two armor company teams (Apache and Comanche) and one mechanized infantry company team (Barbarians). Your team consists of two mechanized infantry (BFV) platoons (1st and 3d Platoons), both at full strength, and one M1A1 tank platoon (2d Pla- toon), also at full strength. You also have an attached combat engineer platoon, consisting of four squads, two ACEs, and one AVLM. Your team has priority of TF mortars and FA. The brigade commander’s intent is for the task force to secure a passage lane to the east of the town of Wilcox, to vic 548886, for the follow-on unit (TF 2-72 AR). In turn, the TF commander’s intent is for your team, the TF main effort, to clear a passage lane to PL TENNESSEE (the LOA) to allow the secure passage of TF 2-72 AR. Once battle handover has occurred at the passage point and TF 2-72 AR has assumed the brigade main effort, TF 3-68 AR will become the brigade reserve and prepare for future operations. Prior to the mission, the brigade S2 provided the task force with a recent aerial photo of Wilcox (see attached aerial photo). Approxi- mately three hours ago, the brigade’s cavalry troop identified an enemy column moving into the town from the north; the column consisted of one T-72, two BMPs, and one ZSU-23-4. As the operation begins, Apache Team is on your left flank and must seize OBJ 1 to prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching Continued on Page 54

52 ARMOR — March-April 1999

Passage at Wilcox (Continued from Page 52) Wilcox from the west and interfering REQUIREMENT with the forward passage of lines for TF 2-72 AR. Comanche Team has cleared Develop your COA and the enemy forces up to the 49-grid line issue your FRAGO and and is in hasty defensive positions. On any other reports you your right flank is TF 4-7 AR, whose would submit. Readers mission is to secure an alternate passage who submit their solutions point in its sector. The TF scout platoon, to the scenario should pro- with six HMMWVs, is established south vide the following: of Wilcox in three section positions, two FRAGO to the company of which are located in your zone vic team, the rationale behind 508778 and 504797. The other section is your decision, and a sketch located within Apache’s zone. of your plan of action. E- Currently, the TF scouts report the situa- mail your solution to this tion in the town as two-dismounted infan- address: armordoctrine try positions, each manned by approxi- @ftknox-dtdd-emh5.army mately a squad-size element. One squad .mil. Send your solution by is located vic 518785, near an opening regular mail to Platoon and that is probably an underground storm Company Team Doctrine shelter (S) and residences (A); the other is Branch, ATTN: ATZK- located vic 522792, in the school (L). The TDD-P, Ft. Knox, KY TF scouts have spotted two enemy vehi- 40121-5210. cles: a ZSU-23-4 located vic 545784 and a BMP located vic 516799. The location of the other BMP is unknown. The TF scouts also report hearing a vehicle they Solutions to this believe to be the T-72; its current location is unknown. A road crater reinforced with vignette will ap- wire and mines is reported vic 524803. pear in the July- The TF scouts report that most civilian August issue of residents have left the town, but that ARMOR. some seem to be hiding in their homes and in the town church.

54 ARMOR — March-April 1999 SOLUTIONS — Tactical Vignette 99-2

“The Passage at Wilcox” from the March-April 1999 issue of ARMOR

Author's Solution Platoon. 2nd Platoon will occupy SBF 2 and Platoon will overwatch the RP. On order, the XO suppress enemy forces to support 3rd Platoon’s will move to the SP to establish link up with TF FRAGO: attack. 3rd Platoon will attack along AXIS 2-72 AR and lead the task force to the RP. MUSTANG to sieze OBJ L. Once 3rd platoon Guidons, this is Black 6, FRAGO follows: seizes OBJ L one section of 3rd Platoon will 2) Fires: Priority of FA fires is with 1st Pla- occupy SBF 3 to protect the Sapper Platoon. The toon. Priority of mortar fires is with 3rd Platoon. 1. SITUATION. Sapper Platoon will follow 3rd Platoon, once 1st Platoon, destroy BMP vic 782514 in order to a. Enemy. A T-72, two BMPs w/squads and a OBJ L is seized and SBF 3 is occupied, it will allow B team the freedom of movement once we ZSU-23-4 have been reported within the town of breach the obstacle vic 802524 and continue to pass the 49-grid line. 3rd Platoon obscure enemy Wilcox. The tank location is unknown but the TF clear the passage lane as we attack to the LOA. in order to support your attack to seize OBJ L. scouts have heard it moving throughout the town. 1st Platoon will attack to seize OBJ T. 2nd Pla- 3rd Platoon, continue to fire vic. 802524 to pro- One BMP is located vic 782514 and the ZSU-23- toon O/O will attack to seize OBJ U. Once the vide obscuration for the breach element. 4 is located vic 783543. Two squad-size elements OBJs have been seized infantry elements will have been identified at vic 784518 and 793524. dismount and clear them of all remaining enemy 3) R & S: The task force scouts will move be- An obstacle is located vic 802523 and is rein- forces. Once OBJs are occupied, platoons will hind our company as we attack to establish a forced with wire and mines. I believe the enemy orient north by northwest to prevent enemy direct screen along the LOA (PL TENNESSEE). XO is defending with 2 BMPs forward and the tank fires on the follow-on task force's passage. 1st coordinate with the scouts and keep us informed in depth. The unidentified BMP is likely located near the infantry squad in building L overwatching the obstacle. The tank is likely to be located within the town ready to reposition to support either BMP. b. Friendly. Comanche Team has cleared the enemy forces up to the 49-grid line and has established a hasty defense. Apache Team is on our left flank and attacks to seize Obj 1 in order to protect our left flank. TF 4-7 AR is on our right flank and is attacking to secure an alternate passage lane within their sector. TF 2-72 AR is located to our rear as the brigade reserve and is preparing to continue the brigade attack to the north. 2. MISSION. Team B attacks to secure a passage lane (RED- SKIN) from PL KENTUCKY to the LOA (PL TENNESSEE) in order to support the forward passage of TF 2-72 AR. 3. EXECUTION. Intent: Our purpose is to secure a passage lane to allow TF 2-72 AR (on order, the brigade main effort) to continue the attack to the north. We must suppress the enemy to gain a foothold and seize our OBJs. We must clear the lane of all obstacles allowing the use of the passage lane by the follow-on task force. Then we must prevent the enemy from placing fires on TF 2-72 AR during their forward passage. Our endstate is platoons occupying OBJ L, OBJ T, and OBJ U oriented north to northwest and all remaining enemy forces contained within the town, allowing no direct fires on the lane. a. Concept of Operations. 1) The team will move through C team in a company wedge, platoons in wedge formation with 1st platoon (mech) as the lead element, 2nd platoon (tank) on the left flank, 3rd platoon (mech) on the right flank, and the Sapper Platoon following 3rd Platoon. Traveling technique of movement. Once the team passes through C Team vic PL Kentucky, we will execute traveling overwatch technique of movement oriented north/northwest of the passage lane. 1st Platoon will occupy SBF1 and destroy the BMP vic Fig. 1 782514 and suppress the enemy to protect 2nd

ARMOR — July-August 1999 55 of their plans and locations to prevent any fratri- ported by mortars can rapidly seize OBJ L. OBJ mechanized platoons will provide security for the cide. L provides a position of advantage for the platoon passage lane. to protect our breach of the obstacle and provides 4) Intel: We must be able to locate the tank. a commanding position overwatching all the (2) Fires. The purpose of indirect fires is to support our breaching operation. First platoon has b. Task to subordinate units: southern approaches into the passage lane. Once the obstacle is breached, the tank and mechanized priority of fires from mortars to suppress enemy 1st Platoon (Red): Lead element in formation. infantry platoon move from their SBF positions positions. Second platoon has priority of fires Suppress enemy from SBF 1 to protect 2nd pla- to seize the remaining two objectives, being from artillery for obscuration and suppression. toon’s occupation of SBF 2. On order, attack to protected by the suppressive fires of the platoon The first unit to gain eyes on the ZSU 23-4 gains seize OBJ T to protect follow-on forces during on OBJ L. With OBJ L, OBJ U, and OBJ T priority of fires from artillery. their movement through the passage lane and secured the company can effectively overwatch a. Tasks to subordinate units overwatch the RP. the lane and suppress or destroy any enemy forces attempting to interfere with the passage. 1st Platoon: Establish a support by fire position 2nd Platoon (White): Initially move on left vicinity of grid 508788. Suppress all enemy flank of the company wedge. Suppresses enemy positions within Bravo 1 and immediately report forces from SBF 2 to protect 3rd platoon’s attack the position of the T-72 and the second BMP. on OBJ L. On order, seize OBJ U to protect Your left lateral limit is the church. Your right follow-on forces during their movement through Reader’s Solution lateral limit is the school. Once the breach is the passage lane. complete, defend the passage lane oriented to the 3rd Platoon (Blue): Initially move on the right (From the officers of Co. B, 2d Tank Battalion, west from checkpoint 1 to checkpoint 2. You flank of the company wedge. Attack along AXIS 2d Marine Division, 2d MEF) have priority of fires from TF mortars. MUSTANG to seize OBJ L. Then move one 2d Platoon: Breach the obstacle located at grid section to SBF 3 and suppress enemy forces to “Guidons, guidons, this is Black Six, FRAGO follows, break…” 524803. You have a platoon of engineers at- protect the Sapper Platoon as they breach the tached to you initially. Upon completion of the obstacle. 1. SITUATION breach, detach the engineers to 3d platoon. Pro- ceed to PL Tennessee and screen to the North. Sapper Platoon: Follows 3rd Platoon. On or- Task Organization der, breach obstacle at grid 802523 and continue BPT facilitate the forward passage of TF 2-72 to clear the lane behind our attack in order to Effective immediately an engineer platoon is AR through our lines. You have priority of artil- provide a trafficable lane for TF 2-72 AR. attached to Team Barbarians. lery throughout the mission. Black 5: Move with Blue to assist them with Friendly: 3d Platoon: You are designated the assault additional firepower to protect the Sapper Pla- force. Follow in trace of 2d platoon during the toon. On order, move to the SP. Link up with and Team Apache is on our left flank. Team Co- breach. You are responsible for adjusting artillery lead TF 2-72 AR along the lane to the RP. manche has cleared all enemy forces up to the fire for 2d platoon. Upon completion of the 49-grid line. They are currently in a hasty defen- breach, defend the passage lane from checkpoint Fist: Follow Red set SBF 1. Adjust artillery sive position. TF 4-7 AR is on our right flank and 2 to PL Tennessee. and mortar fire. Call artillery fires on BMP in is tasked with securing an alternate route. Two open vic 782514 and then smoke and suppression scout sections are located to our front at grids Engineers: You are attached to 2d platoon and to protect the breach vic 802527. Fire smoke and 508778 and 504797. will provide engineer support during the breach. suppression for 3rd Platoon's attack on OBJ L Upon completion of the breach, continue to im- with mortars. Enemy: prove the passage lane for follow-on forces. Black 7: Initially set vic PL KENTUCKY be- TRP Zulu, office building, located at grid b. Coordinating Instructions: 534789. Alpha 1, one ZSU 23-4; Bravo 1, one hind SBF 2. On order, move along AXIS MUS- The following checkpoints have been added: TANG set vic 802513 and support reconstitution BMP with dismounted infantry squad positioned and recovery. near an underground storm shelter. Bravo 2, one CP ET- 515796 dismounted infantry squad located in a school. A c. Coordinating Instructions: road crater at 524803 is reinforced with wire and CP 2 ET- 530804 mines. The location of another BMP are un- New operations overlay (Fig. 1) is being sent known. Scouts report hearing track vehicle noises 4. SERVICE SUPPORT over IVIS. they believe to be a T-72. Some civilians are No change 4. SERVICE SUPPORT: No change. believed to be hiding in their homes. 5. COMMAND & SIGNAL 5. COMMAND & SIGNAL: 2. MISSION a. I will be with the support force and the XO a. Command: I will move with 1st Platoon. O/O Team Barbarians secures a passage lane will move with the assault force. from PL Kentucky to PL Tennessee IOT allow b. Signal: No changes. the passage of TF 2-72 AR through our lines. b. All vehicles will display a green flag to indicate an open passage lane through the obstacle 3. EXECUTION The alternate signal is green star cluster. Rationale Commander’s Intent To accomplish the mission B Team must secure Rationale a lane for the follow-on task force. The goal is to Higher’s intent is for Team Barbarians to facili- avoid costly, time consuming fighting in the town tate the passage of follow-on forces. The final The mission is best accomplished by avoiding and secure a lane as quickly as possible. The result desired is for all enemy hard targets to be the potential MOUT situation. The decisive point plan is to seize key positions that control the lane destroyed. One tank platoon will set on PL Ten- during the mission will be the breach. The loca- and only engage those enemy forces required to nessee with two mechanized platoons securing tions of the T-72 and one BMP remain unknown, secure the lane. OBJs L, U, and T are key to the passage lane. therefore the tank platoon should be the breach controlling the lane. From these positions the a. Concept of the operation force. Second platoon provides more armor pro- company can prevent the enemy from interfering tection and precision firepower to the engineers. with the passage of TF 2-72 AR. Initially a (1) Scheme of maneuver. Team Barbarians will The Bradleys will be able to provide adequate mechanized infantry platoon and tank platoon conduct a deliberate breach with one platoon suppression on the enemy dismounted infantry supported by artillery destroy the known enemy establishing a support by fire position. The tank squads and the known BMP. It is important to BMP and suppress remaining enemy forces to platoon will conduct a breach at the road crater to protect the passage lane until TF 2-72 AF passes support an attack to seize OBJ L. With massed allow follow-on forces to reach PL Tennessee. through our lines. This can be accomplished by suppressive fires from the two platoons in SBF 1 The remaining platoon will secure the passage positioning second platoon along PL Tennessee and SBF2, a mechanized infantry platoon sup- lane. Once the breach has been affected, both and both mechanized platoons along the route.

56 ARMOR — July-August 1999

WHAT’S TACTICAL VIGNETTE 99-3 YOUR

NEXT Screen in a Snowstorm MOVE??

You are the commander of A Troop sponsible for maintaining continuous • At 051005, you hear the following (Wolfpack), 1-201 Cavalry, the ground surveillance of Named Areas of Interest radio transmission on your squadron troop of the light division cavalry squad- (NAIs) 1-8. Each observation post (OP) command net from B Troop commander ron of the 32nd Infantry Division has either two or three vehicles, with a to the SCO: “Saber 6, this is Bulldog 6, I (Light). Your division is deployed to the mix of scout and AT platforms. Your have lost contact with Bulldog 26, Republic of Urbuti (RU) in support of squadron commander (SCO) has ac- break. At last contact, he had nothing to OPERATION BIG EASY. The RU cepted risk on the west flank of the report at NAIs 12-14 and was returning recently seceded from the United States squadron and assigned B and C Troops from the FARP enroute to NAI 15, of Leinad (USL). Special Operations (8xOH-58D each) to screen along PL break. The ceiling has dropped to 50 feet Forces (SOF) and other intelligence GOLD (NAIs 12-15) until the brigade with 100 meters visibility, so I cannot sources indicate that the USL will at- cavalry troop from 1st Brigade can re- get another team to Bulldog 26’s loca- tempt an insurgency to overthrow the lieve the air troops. The air troops are tion, break. Request assistance from RU government and regain the province. also responsible for NAIs 9-11 along PL Wolfpack to reestablish contact with On RU’s western border is the country SILVER. Bulldog 26, over.” of Eus, an ally of USL, but not aggres- • The squadron S2 reports that there is sive towards RU. The rules of engage- It is now 051000NOV1999; your troop a snowstorm moving in that will proba- ment (ROE) allow for destruction of has been screening for four days. There bly last for two days. armed USL forces crossing the border has been light civilian traffic across both into RU. borders. Satellite photos and unmanned • C Troop commander reports that his aerial vehicles (UAVs) indicate that, two troop is closed on AA Saber and that Squadron Mission: 1-201 Cav screens flying is extremely dangerous. along PL SILVER from PL GOLD to days ago, two battalions of the USL PL LEAD and along PL GOLD be- Army moved out of their motor pools • You receive the following spot report tween PL BRONZE and PL SILVER and barracks and began moving south. from your 2nd platoon, observing NAIs NLT 010900JUN1999 to identify and Yesterday, Eus issued a statement that 3 and 4: “Wolfpack 6, this is White 1, track insurgents entering the RU. the United States could no longer fly in contact, three T-34s moving south, vi- its airspace. A situation is developing Squadron Commander’s Intent: and you monitor the following radio Purpose – I want to identify and track traffic: Continued on Page 51 insurgents from the USL entering the RU and prevent them from harming civilians. Endstate – The squadron will continue to screen until re- lieved, and will have destroyed insurgents with Hell- fires and rockets if possible, or have handed targets off to 1st Brigade. Troop Mission: A, 1-201 Cav screens along PL SIL- VER from PL GOLD to PL LEAD NLT 010900NOV- 1999 to identify and track insurgents entering the RU. You task organized your troop in a scout/anti-tank (SCAT) configuration. You have four platoons with three scout HMMWVs and two AT HMMWVs each, for a total of 20 HMMWVs with six MK- 19 platforms, six cal .50 platforms, and eight TOW platforms. You do not have a FIST, mortars, or a troop ex- ecutive officer. You are re-

ARMOR — May-June 1999 49

TV 99-3 (Cont. from Page 49)

cinity NAI 3, break. I will lose visual contact in approximately five mikes, break. Recommend that Red reposition to continue to track the vehicles, over.” • The weather has gotten worse and you can no longer talk to the squadron TOC. • You hear a weak radio transmission: “Any Wolfpack element, this is Bulldog 26, I am on the ground at GV305120, break. I had an engine failure and had to land. There is a group of about five personnel observing me 500 meters to the north, they appear unarmed, break. We spotted one T-55 moving east last seen approximately 1.5 kilometers NNW of NAI 16, request assistance, over.” What do you do? Requirement: You have five minutes to decide what to do and issue your FRAGO as you would if speaking on the radio. Submit your solutions by e- mail to: taylorde@ftknox-dtdd-emh5. army.mil or by regular mail to Cavalry Branch, Doctrine Division, ATTN: ATZK-TDD-C, Ft. Knox, KY 40121- 5210.

Solutions to this vignette will appear in the Septem- ber-October 1999 issue of ARMOR.

ARMOR — May-June 1999 51 Solution — Tactical Vignette 99-3

“Screen in a Snowstorm,” from the May-June 1999 issue of ARMOR

Author’s Solution Guidons, this is WOLFPACK 6. FRAGO follows, acknowledge over. SITUATION: There are three T-34s moving south vicinity NAI 3. WHITE has eyes on but will lose them quickly. Bulldog reports one T-55 moving east, last seen grid 1.5 kilometers NNW of NAI 16. BULLDOG has one downed aircraft at GV299123, currently being observed by five apparently unarmed personnel 500 meters to their north. Additionally, S2 reports that weather conditions are worsening, and the snowstorm moving in will probably last for two days. The air troops are currently grounded and are likely to remain that way for at least 48 hours. MISSION: A Troop, 1-201 CAV screens along PL SILVER from PL GOLD to PL LEAD and along PL GOLD between PL BRONZE and PL SILVER NLT 051030JUN1999 to identify and track insurgents entering PRU. WOLFPACK 7 move to the squadron to track them with their displaced section. TOC to advise SABER 6 of our situation. I decided to send WOLFPACK 7 to ap- EXECUTION. Ensure the squadron TOC notifies F prove my plan because I did not want to Tasks to Subordinate Units: Troop to launch the Downed Aircraft be out of contact with my platoon leaders Rescue Team (DART) and informs 1st should problems arise during this reposi- RED: Move two vehicles from OP 1a to BDE they have three T-34s moving to tion, with tank moving in sector. If establish OP b1a VIC GV299123, to them. I will remain at my current position GREEN can avoid bumping into the T- provide security for the downed aircraft and continue to try and raise SABER 34s and the SCO approves of my plan, and crew. Be prepared to accept a three- TOC. we are in business until the storm sub- vehicle section from GREEN VIC sides. GV352104. Move one HMMWV from What are your questions? GREEN to reinforce 1a, and the other Reader’s Solution two to establish b2a VIC GV 305102 RATIONALE (Submitted by 1LT Nathan A. Cox, oriented on NAIs 12-13. The squadron commander has ordered WHITE: Continue to track the three T- me to screen along PL SILVER from PL ACCC 99-03, Section 1B, Ft. Knox, Ky.) 34s moving in your sector. Reposition a PLATINUM to PL LEAD. The situation “White 1, this is 6. Roger. Continue to two-vehicle section within your sector to has changed, however, with the weather- monitor until you lose visual. NAI 3 is pass the tanks off to 1st BDE south of PL ing in of the two flight troops on my still in your sector. Attempt to move to a BRONZE. flank. Also, two contacts force me to position that better suits visual on the T- make one quick move with RED, to se- 34s. Break. Red 1, this is 6. White 1 re- BLUE: Continue mission. cure the downed aviators, and one more ports seeing three T-34s vic NAI 3. He GREEN: Collapse OP 4a and move a deliberate move with GREEN, to estab- may lose visual. I need you to see if you three-vehicle section into first platoon’s lish a new OP in B/C sector. The shifting can get a visual on NAI 3, just in case sector VIC GV352104. This section is of force gives the number of OPs I want White loses contact. Red 1, also be pre- attached to RED upon link-up. in sector with enough soldiers at those pared to send a section with MK-19 and OPs to establish them for long duration .50 cal. vic GV305120. Bulldog has a Coordinating Instructions: operations. The decision to shut down OP bird down with engine trouble. Leave Report when moving and set. 4a is based on the belief that GREEN can your AT assets to monitor enemy tanks. cover both NAIs 7 and 8 from OP 4b. I I’m going to call Bulldog 6 and let him RED report when you have secured the am not overly concerned with the T-55 know I’ve got contact with his guy, then downed aviators. Your sector now ex- moving around in EUS, with the estab- I’ll let you know. Break. Guidons, this is tends east to and along PL GOLD. lishment of the two new OPs in the old 6. S2 reports a big snowstorm coming. GREEN move to WHITE’s FREQ B/C sector, he should be identified if he It’s supposed to last for two days. Con- while moving through their sector. Avoid crosses into PRU. Having contact with tinue to monitor your NAIs, and let me contact with the T-34s. Move to RED’s the three T-34s center sector only adds to know when you lose visual contact. Red FREQ at the link up point. the problem, but WHITE should be able 1, stand by. Over.”

ARMOR — September-October 1999 55

TACTICAL VIGNETTE 99-4

WHAT’S YOUR Trouble for the Redball Express - NEXT Rear Area Security MOVE??

Situation: 100643AUG99 Friendly Situation: PL RED TF 1-23 Logpac PL BLUE 2 BDE FLOT attacked by X mines and You are “Rubicon 6,” the brigade com- s 3 BDE N sniper mander of 3 Bde, 4th AD. Your brigade LRP 26 is preparing a defense in sector. A 1 mechanized infantry division is expected 110217AUG99 2 MI-24s to attack NLT 110530AUG99. TF 1-23 and 6 MI-8 conduct 24 MP and TF 1-78 are defending forward in possible air insertion X sector while TF 2-78 is the brigade reserve. C/1-23(-) is attached to 1-1 FA 22 protecting an MLRS platoon and Q37 TF 1-23 radar located in the brigade sector. The BSA II TF 1-78 20 brigade is currently at 90% strength. 1-1FA Your task organization is in Figure 1 and TF 2-78 the current graphics are in Figure 2. 18 Enemy Situation: 102032 BSA attacked by small arms, MG, and The brigade cavalry troop has had spo- 17 radic contact with enemy reconnaissance mortar fires elements for the last 12 hours. The forward task forces have reported no contact 3 BDE 15 X in the main battle area. The division S2’s 98 00 02 04 06 08 101 BDE 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 FLOT assessment indicates that the enemy 66th PL RED PL BLUE MID will LD its main body early in the Figure 2: Operational Graphics morning on 11AUG99. Based on experience over the last few weeks, division believes that the enemy will increase its SOF, and air-inserted forces. These at- security forces are continuing to man activity in our rear area using partisans, tacks will likely target logistics, com- their perimeter. Most logistics functions mand and control, and artillery are on hold. assets to desynchronize our op- Event #3: At 110217AUG99, 2 MI-24s X erations while the enemy divi- (HIND-D) and 5 MI-8s (HIPs) penetrate 3 4AD TF 1-23 3/4AD sion attacks into the main battle the brigade’s air space and land vicinity area. grid 070225. Each Hip has the potential to Event #1: At 100643AUG99, carry 28 troops. Reports indicate that 1 TF 1-23 reports that its LOG- MI-24 and 1 MI-8 were destroyed by PAC, en route to LRP1, ran into ADA fires, but the rest of the element TF 1-78 3/4AD a point minefield roadblock successfully exited the brigade sector. over-watched by a sniper. The convoy reacted to the ambush, Requirements: forcing the sniper to withdraw. Assess the situation presented by each The LOGPAC lost of one event and formulate a course of action. 2-78AR(-) 3/4AD HEMTT fueler and three soldiers Issue instructions to your staff or a were wounded. The convoy is FRAGO to your commanders to deal BDE RES continuing to the LRP1. with the threats to your rear area. Issue Event #2: At 102032AUG99, your FRAGO as if talking on the radio to 1-1FA 4AD the FSB commander reports that your commanders. Submit your solu- the BSA is under attack by a tions to the BN/BDE Branch by email at: squad-size element equipped [email protected], Q37 with small arms, machine guns, or mail your solution to ARMOR, and mortars. The enemy position ATTN: ATZK-TDM, Fort Knox, KY is vicinity grid 047193. The FSB 40121-5210. BDE Control security forces have prevented MP 8 HMMWV .50/MK19 any penetration of the BSA pe- Solutions to this vignette will appear Figure 1: Task Organization rimeter, but are unable to destroy the enemy position. The FSB in the January-February 2000 issue.

54 ARMOR — September-October 1999

Solution — Tactical Vignette 99-04

Trouble for the Redball Express - Rear Area Security (From the September-October 1999 issue of ARMOR)

Author’s Solution pressive fires on enemy squad in formation capable of dealing with the support of MP platoon’s maneuver. situation? Commitment of the BDE reserve is certainly an option, but could EVENT #1 3) FA switch priority of fires to FSB. leave them out of place or without suffi- Coordinating instructions: cient combat power to be decisive in the The sniper attack on TF 1-23 is clearly close fight. The enemy appears to have an example of a level I rear area threat. 1) Report when link-up with MP and committed to a course of action that sup- The local commander was able to deal FSB is complete. ports his maneuver in the center of the with the threat with the forces available Service Support: brigade sector. A more logical choice to and the situation requires no immediate deal with the threat is the mech team pro- response from the brigade commander. 1) FSB provides medevac support to viding security to the high value FA as- He should however, direct the staff to: MPs. sets. 1) Update the IPB with a special em- Command and Signal “Guidons, this is Rubicon Six, Frago phasis on likely ambush sites along 1) Signal to lift fires is green star clus- Follows, acknowledge over. the BDEs MSR. Include an assess- ter. ment of the degree of support for Situation: At 110217AUG99 conducted partisan and SOF forces in each of ACKNOWLEDGE over. the urban centers in the BDE AO. an air insertion of a company-sized unit with 2 MI-24 s and 5 MI-8 Hips vic grid 2) Vary the use of MSRs, LRPs, and EVENT #3 070225. 1 MI-24 and 1 MI-8 were de- the timing of LOGPACs to avoid The insertion of an infantry force, which stroyed. I believe the enemy infantry setting predictable patterns. company will defend vic 078223 to block is potentially as large as 120 soldiers, in our MSR and hold key terrain in support 3) Direct MP platoon to proof MSR the BDE rear presents the commander of the enemy MID attack. His most dan- prior to major convoy movements. with a Level III threat. The MP platoon gerous course of action is a dismounted EVENT #2 certainly does not have the capability to defeat the threat and probably couldn’t attack on the BSA. The enemy contact vicinity of the BSA fix them with much success. So where Mission: No change to the brigade mis- is more than the FSB can effectively deal does the BDE CDR get a combined arms sion. with. They can prevent penetration of their perimeter but are unable to mount an attack that will destroy the enemy mortar location. While 100643AUG99 the situation does not warrant the PL RED TF 1-23 Logpac PL BLUE 2 BDE FLOT attacked by commitment of a combined arms X mines and s 3 BDE formation, this level II threat does N sniper require action by the brigade. LRP 26 1 “Guidons, this is Rubicon Six, Frago follows, acknowledge over. 110217AUG99 2 MI-24s and 6 MI-8 conduct 24

Situation: The BSA is in contact possible air insertion MP X with a dismounted infantry squad and light mortars located in the 22 hills to their south (grid 047193). Friendly forces continue to defend TF 1-23 BSA II the BSA perimeter and have no TF 1-78 20 forces south of the 195 east-west 1-1FA gridline. TF 2-78 Mission: No change. 18 Execution: 102032 BSA attacked by small arms, MG, and Tasks to subordinate units: mortar fires 17 1) MP platoon OPCON to FSB. Neutralize enemy squad vic 3 BDE 15 grid 047193. X 98 00 02 04 06 08 101 BDE 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 FLOT 2) FSB maintain contact with PL RED PL BLUE enemy squad. Provide sup-

44 ARMOR — January-February 2000

Solution (continued)

Execution: Tasks to subordinate units: 1) 1-1FA, detach Team Mech and place them under brigade control. TM Mech consolidates his platoons at attack position Dog (vic 100205) and attacks to fix enemy infantry company vicinity grid 078223 in order to protect the brigade support area. 2) MP Platoon screens from grid 035240 to 085245 to protect MLRS platoon. 3) TF 2-78 provides mortar fires to Team Mech. Coordinating instructions: 1) All units between PL Red to PL blue go to REDCON 1. 2) PIR; composition, location, direction of movement of suspected infantry company. 3) Establish a CFZ on BSA until contact with enemy company is established. Service Support: 1) All logistics traffic uses southern MSR. ACKNOWLEDGE, over.

DEFINITIONS

Some readers unfamiliar with current Army abbreviations, such as those used in the accompanying tactical vignettes, have asked us to define them. –Ed

AO Area of Operation LRP Logistics Release Point BP Battle Position MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System BSA Brigade Support Area MSR Main Supply Route CFZ Critical Friendly Zone OPCON Operational Control EA Engagement Area O/O On order EN Engineer PIR Priority Information Requirements FA Field Artillery PL Phase Line FIST Fire Support Team REDCON Readiness Condition FRAGO Fragmentary Order SBF Support by Fire FSB Forward Support Battalion SOF Special Operations Forces FSE Forward Security Element TGT Target IPB Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield TRP Target Reference Point LOGPAC Logistics Package

ARMOR — January-February 2000 45

TACTICAL VIGNETTE 00-01 WHAT’S YOUR

Ragin’ Cajun Time — NEXT MOVE?? Platoon Leader’s Decision

Overall Situation conducting a relief in place of Charlie follows.” All elements acknowledge. Six Team. After Bravo Company finishes then sends “Scouts report three BMPs refueling, the TF will continue to march followed by one T-72 vicinity AA 2 Enemy Situation: to the border for further operations. One moving east vicinity MR235047.” A battalion (-) size element of the Chaf- section of scouts (2 x HMMWV) is forward of your position screening at vicin- Red: Occupy BP 1B and orient on EA fenburg Army is moving south along the HOUSTON from TRP 1 to TRP 4. On border of the nation of Dansu. Heavy ity MR250060 and MR256060. Charlie team is held in reserve to be the spear- order, shift fire to EA SEATTLE orient- fighting has attrited them to 70% ing from TRP 5 to TRP 6. strength. They are looking for a favorable head of the TF counterattack. location near the capital or a surrounding Company Mission: White: Occupy BP 1A and orient on EA town from which to conduct an insur- HOUSTON from TRP 1 to TRP 3. On gency. They are equipped with 6 - 9 x T- Team A/6-46 AR defends vicinity BP 1 order, displace and reposition to BP 1D 72s, 22 - 25 x BMP-2s with infantry, and NLT 230900MAR00 in order to prevent and orient from TRP 7 to TRP 8. 2 x 2S3s. They have the ability to employ enemy forces from penetrating the task force rear boundary (PL Apache). O/O, Blue: Occupy BP 1C and orient on EA non-persistent agents, although none have HOUSTON from TRP 2 to TRP 4 and been used as yet. Their most probable establish an SBF vicinity SBF 2A to se- EA SEATTLE from TRP 5 to TRP 8. course of action is to invade the southern cure the flank of the task force while it portion of the border somewhere between conducts a counterattack. Trigger is three tanks or four BMPs (the grid 2310 and grid 2301. Their doctrine Platoon Situation: FSE) in either EA. dictates that they first send their reconnaissance across to find a suitable avenue Your platoon is moving toward BP 1 of advance (this element may be split into when you receive the following transmis- two sections). Expect to see at least two sion: “Guidons, this is Black Six, frago Continued on Page 45 tanks and five BMPs along with a minimum of one EN vehicle in their reconnaissance element. 10 Friendly Situation: PL SIOUX PL APACHE TF 1-81 As part of Operation Steel 09 Fist, the 1 BDE has deployed TF 6-46 to the desert nation of Dansu 08 and successfully repelled a EA AA1 SEATTLE 08 border insurgency by the Chaf- 07 fenburg Army. TF 6-46 is cur- A2B 06 rently consolidating and reor- BP 07 ganizing west of the capital. As 05 1D the most southerly deployed BP SBF 2A unit of the 1 BDE, they have 1C

46 06 been alerted. The TF com- - 1 BDE

BP 1 TF 6 mander orders a company-size EA 04 force to conduct security op- HOUSTON BP 05 erations in the vicinity of the A1B 03 1B border. 02

01 04 Company Situation: BP 1A You are the platoon leader of AA2 2nd Platoon, Alpha Team (task 03 organization: Company HQ, 1st Platoon, 2nd Platoon, 3rd TF 6-46 Platoon, and FIST). Your com- 02 pany has priority of fires. 1-502 IN PL APACHE Alpha Team is at 100% PL SIOUX strength and has just finished 01 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

ARMOR — January-February 2000 43

Tactical Vignette 00-01 (From Page 43)

The trigger for any platoon to reorient TRP 1, over.” After thirty minutes, you its fires into an alternate EA is: hear, “Black Six, this is Red One. Con- tact, three tanks and two BMPs vicinity - Negative contact in primary EA. EA Seattle, out.” Red sends “Black One, - Confirmed enemy company (+) this is Red. Fire TGT Group A2B, tanks identified in the alternate EA. and BMPs in the open.” Main gun fire to the north is audible from your position. Engagement priority is tanks, EN vehi- Your attempts to contact Black Six and cles, BMPs, all other vehicles. Black Five yield no results as they are Displacement criteria for White: Three sending information higher. tanks vicinity EA SEATTLE. Task 2: I will move with Red. XO, you stay What actions, if any, do you take? with Blue. All other OPORD information has re- Requirements: mained unchanged.” Readers wishing to submit solutions to Task 1: the scenario should provide the following: 1) a sound FRAGO for your platoon Send the pertinent FRAGO to your pla- and 2) the appropriate procedures and toon and occupy your position in BP 1. supporting rationale for the second situa- Situation 2: tion. Send your solution by e-mail to [email protected] or Your platoon sergeant sends you the fol- by mail to: Platoon Gunnery Doctrine lowing SPOT report: “White One, this is Branch, ATTN: ATZK-TDD-PG, Fort White Four. Observing one tank and one Knox, KY 40121-5210. BMP moving northeast vicinity TRP 1, over.” As you attempt to send the information higher, you hear “Black Six, this Solutions to this vignette will ap- is Blue One. Observing one tank and one pear in the May-June 2000 issue of BMP slowly moving northeast vicinity ARMOR.

Solution — Tactical Vignette 00-01 Ragin’ Cajun Time (Author’s Solution to the January-February 2000 Vignette)

TASK 1 – Issue 2nd Platoon FRAGO – confirmed enemy company (+) size ele- by your company commander for en- ment in EA Seattle. gagement, reorientation into your alter- “All White elements, this is White one, nate engagement area (EA Seattle), or dis - FRAGO follows.” -White displacement criterion is three tanks vicinity EA Seattle. placement to your alternate BP (BP 1D). SITUATION: Scout report three BMPs followed by one T-72 vic MR235047. -Engagement priority is tanks, EN vehi- EVENT 2 – Report of three tanks and two BMPs vic EA Seattle. MISSION: No Change. cles, BMPs, then all others. Your response, because you cannot get EXECUTION: SERVICE AND SUPPORT: contact with your commander or XO, -Occupy BP 1A and orient on EA No change. should be to displace and occupy BP 1D. Houston between TRPs 1 and 3. COMMAND AND SIGNAL: This SPOT report meets the criteria set by your commander for your platoon to -Alpha section orient from TRP 1 north CO will be with Red (1st) platoon; XO displace to BP 1D and begin engaging to TRP 3; work far to near. Bravo section will be with blue (3rd) platoon. orient on TRP 3 south to TRP 1; work the enemy. “Acknowledge, over.” inside out. While this SPOT report also meets one TASK 2 – White’s response to SPOT of the criteria for you to reorient your -On order, displace and reposition to BP reports over company net – platoon fires into your alternate engage- 1D, orient into EA Seattle. Alpha section orient from TRP 7 north to TRP 8; work EVENT 1 – Report of one tank and one ment area (EA Seattle), it would do no good. far to near. Bravo section orient on TRP 8 BMP vic TRP 1 in EA Houston. south to TRP 7; work inside out. You are set in BP 1A. Your fires from Your response should be to continue to there would be ineffective into EA Seattle -Engagement trigger is three tanks or observe and monitor the situation. Both four BMPs (what we believe is the FSE) you and the Blue platoon see these en- because you are too far away (3km to the southern portion of EA Seattle). You in either EA Houston or EA Seattle. emy vehicles. must displace to BP 1D, reorient your -Trigger to reorient fires into EA Seattle The size and activity of this enemy ele- platoon’s fires to the appropriate TRPs, is negative contact in EA Houston or ment does not meet any of the criteria set and begin engaging the enemy. TACTICAL DECISION EXERCISE Tactical Vignette 14-01: “Battle at Narrow Bridge”

ARMOR publishes tactical vignettes, or squads in M2 Bradley tactical decision exercises, to generate Fighting Vehicles (BFVs) professional dialogue. Scenarios may and two M1A2s. seem vague and lack pertinent information to mimic the confusion of The 1-502 Infantry Battal- battle. There are no “right” or “wrong” ion (Air Assault) is attacking north to vicinity Objective Chapultec. On order, answers. Use your doctrinal knowledge destroy enemy forces vicinity Objec- attack to destroy enemy forces vicini- and educated assumptions to tive Chapultec and has already air-as- ty Objective Chapultec to prevent their determine “What’s Your Next Move?” saulted a rifle company in the plain southward advance. south of Objective Chapultec. Reports indicate that a superior force has de- Your battalion commander’s intent is Situation cisively engaged the rifle company. to force passage onto the plain. The You are the mechanized platoon lead- terrain south of Missionary Ridge is er of 1st Platoon, Company A, 2-81 Ar- Your battalion’s mission: 2-81 Armor generally rugged and undeveloped mor (a combined-arms battalion). You follow and support to assist 1-502 In- with thick vegetation and severe relief. are task-organized with two infantry fantry attack to destroy enemy forces The enemy you are fighting is

1 March-June 2014 primarily infantry with point obstacle radio transmissions and monitoring on the radio or via BFT message. Fol- and anti-tank capabilities augmented Blue Force Tracker (BFT) is that the en- lowing your initial FRAGO, take time with small numbers of armored vehi- gagement is taking place near Narrow and clearly define the problem(s) as cles – a mix of T-72, BRDMs and BMPs. Bridge. You cannot tell whether your you see them. Submit both your initial It is 2315 hours; there is a full moon. battalion has negotiated the bridge, FRAGO and discussion of the problem, Your platoon advances along the bat- but you can hear explosions and as- assumptions and rationale for your so- talion’s left flank with the following sume that vehicles are taking casual- lution to ARMOR. The author’s solu- task and purpose: ties. From your position, you can see tion will be published in the July-Sep- Task: Screen the battalion’s western an enemy machinegun and anti-tank tember edition of ARMOR; select so- flank. fire on the ridge to your northeast. lutions and a more thorough discussion will follow in the October-Decem- On the battalion command net, you Purpose: Enable the battalion to fol- ber edition. Submit solutions to us- hear the battalion S-3 directing sup- low and support 1-502 Infantry. army.benning.tradoc.mbx.armor-mag- porting fires onto enemy positions [email protected] no later than 30 days Your platoon moves parallel to a trail near the bridge. Looking at your BFT, after this edition (March-June) is post- – but not on it – and you cross a dry, the overall tactical situation is unclear, ed on-line. rocky gully about three to four feet but it appears the battalion is attempt- deep and 20 meters wide without ing a right flanking movement against making contact. As you approach the enemy position. Except for the lis- Checkpoint 67, your lead M2 BFV tening post that fled, there is no sign makes visual contact with what ap- of enemy activity in your area. pears to be a listening/observation Acronym Quick-Scan post that immediately flees northwest What’s your next toward the Western Narrow Pass. BFT – Blue Force Tracker move? BFV – Bradley Fighting Vehicle Your battalion is in contact to your Decide what to do and issue your frag- FRAGO – fragmentary order east. Your best guess from listening to mentary order as if you were speaking

2 March-June 2014 TACTICAL DECISION EXERCISE Author’s Solution to Tactical Vignette 14-01: “Battle at Narrow Bridge” by LTC Scott O’Neal scheme of maneuver or develop a new course of “Solutions to tactical problems are a action (CoA). Using an un- collective effort. Success results from clear commander’s in- the commander’s plan and the ability tent, vague battalion mis- of subordinates to execute it. Com- sion statement and an increasingly manders must have full confidence in options, along with a proposed confusing, and perhaps deteriorating solution. To do this, we will review the their subordinates’ mastery of the art tactical situation, the scenario places and science of tactics and in their abil- specified and implied guidance, the the platoon leader in a position where enemy situation, and outline the pros ity to execute the chosen solution.” – he must make a decision without guid- and cons of potential CoAs. Ideally, Army Doctrinal Reference Publication ance or direction from the battalion. this affords readers a technique for (ADRP) 3-90 Or does he? Hence, the tactical debate solving this and other tactical ensues. problems. At its core, “Battle at Narrow Bridge” creates a simple dilemma for the pla- This article offers a methodology for Our specified guidance toon leader: continue the directed determining our platoon leader’s “Tactical proficiency is not defined by

3 July-September 2014 mastery of written doctrine, but by the doctrinal terms and concepts,” he uses to continue.9 In follow-and-support, ability to employ available means to vague and potentially misleading ver- the committed force is an enabling el- win battles and engagements. A solu- biage that evokes confusion.7 Further, ement to the lead force’s offensive option may not match any previous doc- comparing his intent to the battalion’s eration. The difference is obviously in trinal example; however, the language mission creates an even more puzzling the “assume” vs. “support” role. The used to communicate that concept dynamic. brigade and battalion commander are must be technically precise and doc- probably struggling with this fact now, trinally consistent, using commonly un- Battalion mission given that both lead elements of 1-502 derstood and accepted doctrinal terms “A commander assigns a unit the task and the main body of 2-81 Armor are and concepts.” –ADRP 3-90 of follow and support to keep the sup- in contact. ported force from having to commit its In our scenario, the battalion com- combat power to tasks other than the Therefore, based on our doctrinal un- mander states that he wants to “force decisive operation, which would slow derstanding of the assigned mission, passage onto the plain,” but what does the offensive operation’s momentum we can anticipate that the battalion this really mean and how does it apply and tempo. The follow-and-support commander – unless otherwise direct- to us? Does he want to bypass enemy force accomplishes its tasks to prevent ed – will maneuver to defeat those in zone and move to the plain as quick- the enemy, obstacles and other factors units controlling the key line of com- ly as possible, or does he want to clear from interfering with offensive actions, munication leading into Objective enemy and secure lines of communi- especially along the lines of communi- Chapultec rather than seek to find a cation before moving to the plain?1, 2, 3 cations.” –Field Manual (FM) 3-90 bypass and move to reinforce 1-502 as his intent implies. However, there eas- Key guidance The battalion has the essential task to ily could be a point at which 2-81 Ar- Battalion commander’s intent: “Force follow and support 1-502’s attack on mor works to bypass to assume 1-502’s passage onto the plain.” Objective Chapultec.8 From doctrine, mission. This is a brigade decision we know the battalion therefore has point associated with a commander’s Battalion mission: 2-81 Armored fol- the responsibility – meaning it is com- critical information requirement, and lows and supports 1-502 Infantry Bat- mitted and not a reserve – to trail and you would understand the information talion’s (Air Assault) attack to destroy support the lead force conducting an requirements leading to that decision. enemy forces vicinity Objective offensive task (in our case, an attack). What we do know is, at this point, our Chapultec. Moreover, we should understand that understanding of the battalion com- Platoon task: Screen the battalion’s in a follow-and-support operation, the mander’s intent and battalion mission western flank. battalion’s doctrinally prescribed tasks somewhat contradict, and as a result, are as follows: we cannot be completely sure how our Platoon purpose: Enable the battalion platoon can best assist. to follow and support 1-502. • Destroy bypassed enemy units; • Block movement of enemy rein- Each option has merits and requires forcements; Our task and purpose With that in mind, our task is to screen different actions on our part. Ideally, • Relieve in place any direct pressure the battalion’s western flank. We we would like to know more about on encircling force halted to con- know from FM 3-90.2 that “screen” is what the battalion commander really tain the enemy; wants – the expanded purpose of the a security task that requires us to ob- operation – before we make a deci- • Secure lines of communication; serve, identify and report enemy ac- sion. At minimum, understanding his • Clear obstacles; tions. We provide reaction time and definition of “force” is critical. Of • Guard prisoners, key areas and in- early warning to the battalion so the course, at this point we do not know, stallations; commander can preserve his combat so we must assume what the battalion power to commit at the decisive place • Recover friendly battle losses; commander really wants the battalion, and time. Further, a screen requires and our platoon, to do. Therefore, let • Secure key terrain; and several critical tasks – performed with- us assume by “force” he means to “fix • Control dislocated civilians. in our capability. For this operation, the enemy in place with fires and then we should: The challenge here is how much effort conduct a bypass” rather than alter- the battalion places on destroying the • Allow no enemy ground element nate techniques of either avoiding the bypassed enemy units and securing to pass through the screen unde- enemy completely or maneuvering to the lines of communication vs. moving tected and unreported; destroy.4,5,6 to relieve and/or re-enforce 1-502– • Maintain continuous surveillance which changes their mission from sup- This allows the battalion to continue of all avenues of approach larger port to assume. During a follow-and- to support 1-502’s attack – at least, than a designated size into the area that is our assumption. The critical is- assume tactical mission task, a second under all visibility conditions; sue here is that the battalion com- committed force follows a force con- mander’s intent is vague. Rather than ducting an offensive task and is pre- • Destroy or repel all enemy recon- using “technically precise, doctrinally pared to continue the mission if the naissance patrols within our capa- consistent and commonly understood lead force is fixed, attrited or unable bilities;

4 July-September 2014 • Locate the lead elements of each field” is the same for both actors. The What we need enemy advance guard and deter- actor on the most favorable, or key, mine their direction of movement terrain possesses an initial advantage. to know in a defensive screen; In this case, we understand that we Although obvious, what we really need have an enemy occupying high ground to know is where the enemy is and in • Maintain contact with enemy forc- and overwatching canalizing and com- what strength. We owe that to the es and report any activity in the partmentalizing terrain – both of battalion commander so he can devel- area of operations; which give him a potential significant op options, but we have to do it without becoming so decisively engaged • Maintain contact with the main advantage. that he has to commit forces from the body and any security forces oper- main body to reconstitute his flank se- ating on its flanks; and The enemy “is primarily infantry with point obstacle and anti-tank capabili- curity – or bail us out. However, know- • Impede and harass the enemy ties augmented with small numbers of ing the battalion is in contact vicinity within our capabilities while dis- armored vehicles – a mix of T-72, BRD- of Narrow Bridge starts to illustrate placing. Ms and BMPs.” This composition ar- the basic enemy disposition. Given those requirements, it is appro- rayed in the restrictive terrain along We also need to know if there is an al- priate that we maneuver to destroy se- Missionary Ridge also mitigates the ternate route for the battalion to use curity elements (the fleeing observa- maneuver and firepower advantages should the attack stall on Narrow tion post (OP), in our case) while re- our mechanized vehicles provide. At- Bridge. At the same time, we need to maining oriented on the battalion tacking into this type of terrain against know more about the success or lack main body. However, does that CoA this type of enemy diminishes many of of success of the battalion’s attack. agree or counter our purpose as the our strengths and requires more time Quite simply, if the battalion is having tactical situation around us evolves? and resources to effectively clear. success along Narrow Bridge, that action could create a different set of We have to remember that the pur- considerations for the platoon. pose of our screen is to “enable the What we think battalion to follow and support 1-502.” we know Seizing, retaining The key question then is, how does our Even a rudimentary terrain analysis screen assist the battalion mission? Al- leads to several assumptions on the and exploiting the ternatively, does our purpose within disposition of the enemy. Knowing initiative the overall operation at some point that Narrow Bridge and the line of “The most consistently successful com- outweigh the specified task and drive communication leading to Objective manders, when faced by an enemy in us to alter from our stated task and Chapultec are critical to both friendly a position that was strong naturally or purpose? If our purpose is to enable and enemy success leads to assuming materially, have hardly ever tackled it the battalion to follow and support, that the focus for the enemy defense in a direct way. And when, under pres- we should consistently think about centers on that area. If we assume that sure of circumstances, they have risked how the battalion is working to enable the main engagement area focuses on a direct attack, the result has common- 1-502 and how we can assist the bat- Narrow Bridge, our platoon’s particu- ly been to blot their record with a fail- talion’s execution of its CoA. We are lar concern is how the enemy has ure.” –Sir Basil H. Liddell-Hart an enabler. Essentially, this is our pla- worked to secure his flanks, the loca- Our lieutenant’s dilemma is how to toon’s contribution to the fight, albeit tion of his reserve and indications of handle the conflicting scenario unfold- a little harder to determine with con- where is he accepting risk. Identifying ing in front of him. Although there are flicting guidance and no immediate di- weakness in his defense provides many possibilities, they generally rection. Before we act hastily, let us something the battalion commander group into three basic options: take a moment – since we are in con- could use to his advantage if his attack tact – to develop the situation. stalls at Narrow Bridge. • Stay the course. Our lieutenant abides by stated orders and his What we know We also can assume that the fact the perception of the battalion com- “With regard to narrow passes, if you enemy purposely engaged in and mander’s intent and continues to can occupy them first, let them be around its own dismounted elements screen the battalion’s flank. Noth- strongly garrisoned and await the ad- indicates they are fighting from pre- ing in the battalion commander’s vent of the enemy.” –Sun Tzu pared positions with planned engage- guidance indicates that he would ment areas with alternate and subse- allow for excessive initiative from “Undeniably, in a mountainous area, a quent fighting positions – maybe vali- small post in a favorable position ac- a platoon leader. For that reason, dating the assumption on his disposi- while the battalion situation seems quires exceptional strength.” –Carl von tion and also identifying obvious areas Clausewitz to be deteriorating on the plain, of strength. Further, the lack of report- the battalion commander believes Terrain and weather are the common ing on his armor could mean that he is his left flank is secure or at least denominators in engagements, mean- holding it in reserve to reinforce or has the ability to react based on ing that regardless of the composition counterattack. the early warning the platoon pro- and disposition of forces, the “playing vides. If the platoon was to give up

5 July-September 2014 the flank and move to assist the the battalion flank, he throws what “White 3 and 4 [mech]. On order, I battalion, there is no guarantee certainty the battalion command- want you to move to the spur on the that either that action would help er has about the situation out his east side of the Western Narrow Pass or that leaving the flank exposed hatch. Finally, if you were the bat- (CP 96 on your graphics) and establish is what the battalion commander talion commander or S-3, you an OP observing both the Western would see as “responsible initia- would want someone to provide Narrow Pass and north of Missionary tive.” Consequently, staying where some decent options and begin Ridge to figure out the enemy compo- we are and continuing to screen setting conditions for them. Set- sition and disposition and if they are makes sense. ting conditions for any battalion moving in our direction. Expect con- movement would require under- tact. Clear dismounts, take extra pre- • Attack the enemy’s flank. Our standing the terrain around Mis- cautions for point obstacles and let me lieutenant makes the assessment sionary Ridge and the Western know if you have any contact with that since the battalion is in con- Narrow Pass. You can bet that the mechanized or anti-tank elements. tact and all good lieutenants in the OP you had visual contact with had What we can’t afford is to become de- absence of further orders attack, the task to provide early warning cisively engaged.” he should do so. In this case, the about activity on the enemy’s right lieutenant knows that the battal- flank. If we wait too long to act, the “The trigger for you to move is when ion is involved in a heavy firefight enemy could easily reposition his Blue 1 and 2 are set in the support by and assumes that the best way to reserve to block the gap along the fire.” alleviate pressure is to move to- Western Narrow Pass (if he has not ward contact, thereby forcing the done so already), or the pass might “Blue 2 [tank]. On order, move with me enemy to deal with two problems already contain a significant block- to establish a support-by-fire vicinity simultaneously. The advantage ing effort (which we do not know). CP 23 to cover White’s move to CP 96. here is that it potentially exposes Further, if the battalion stalls at Once you are able to observe the the enemy flank, which is a proven Narrow Bridge, one of the battal- Western Narrow Pass, White will tactic when attacking fortified po- ion’s next-best options is to move bound to establish a hasty defense sitions; however, in reality, dealing west through the Western Narrow with limited visibility and a dynam- Pass, but unless we act, the com- along PL Spur oriented on the plain ic situation limits the effectiveness mander would (or should) have to north of Missionary Ridge. Standard and potentially adds confusion to generate a reconnaissance force lift and shift fire procedures apply.” the battalion’s attack. Given the to develop the situation – taking “Acknowledge.” terrain and the prepared defensive valuable time and combat power positions, perhaps the only way away from his main body. the battalion controls Narrow Pass Rationale is by attacking the enemy’s flank Author’s solution The key element to this CoA is request- (a tactic, it seems, is unfolding to “Blue, this is Blue 1. WARNO follows. ing a decision out of the battalion the west). Unless the battalion leadership before acting. At this point, commander directs or gives ap- “I am posting graphic control mea- we should consider that the battalion proval, a platoon moving on its sures on our Blue Force Tracker, ac- is acting based on the assumption that flank “unsolicited” could have sig- knowledge receipt.” our platoon is maintaining a flank nificant consequences both by ex- “Battalion is engaged vicinity Narrow screen. Any actions that detract from posing the battalion’s flank and by Bridge, lead elements of 1-502 are in that deserve (if not mandate) going presenting the opportunity for contact to the north, and we had visu- back to the headquarters who issued fratricide. Bottom line is, it man- al contact vicinity CP 67 with two to the order and requesting to deviate dates coordination of fires and three dismounts, which I believe to be from the directed CoA. synchronization of effort. Finally, an OP overwatching Western Narrow should the battalion’s attack begin Pass.” Nevertheless, there is a point where to succeed, the now-exposed left the loss of communication or urgency flank is a likely avenue for the ar- “We are going to continue to screen the battalion’s western flank while de- of action mandates initiative within in- mor reserve to counterattack, and tent. In this case, our lieutenant makes there is no one securing the bat- veloping other options. Namely, once the decision that control of the West- talion’s flank. the net clears, I am going to engage the battalion S-3 on a revised CoA for ern Narrow Pass is growing in impor- • Take the high ground. At this us. Upon approval, I want to move tance and provides a warning order to point, the lieutenant makes sever- quickly to secure the Western Narrow his platoon so they can start planning al assumptions. First is that the Pass to both provide early warning for while he attempts to get approval battalion will be challenged to the battalion and secure it as a poten- from the battalion. Second, battalion make it through Narrow Pass with- tial avenue for the battalion to use needs to hear his perspective on the out significant losses, which will should their attack on Narrow Bridge problem, and by bringing a solution, cause the battalion to look for oth- fail. If I can’t get through on the net, he helps the battalion S-3 and com- er options. Second, if he abandons then I’ll make the decision to execute.” mander formulate branches and

6 July-September 2014 sequels. If he fails to reach the battal- plausible solutions. This is perhaps the LTC Scott O’Neal is a lifelong student of ion, then he will have to make a deci- easiest of the three – especially when the profession who believes in the de- sion within what he believes is the bat- given the relative comfort of an office tailed practice and study of tactics. He talion commander’s intent. or classroom. Second is the ability to has had the privilege of leading Sol- communicate a solution. Brevity and diers from platoon through battalion The tactic of using the tank section clarity combine with simplicity to level and served on a variety of opera- (led by the platoon leader) to establish ensure the orders are received tional staffs throughout his career; his a support-by-fire while the mech sec- correctly and often only over a radio. duty assignments have included squad- tion (led by the platoon sergeant) dis- Can the leader help his subordinates ron commander, 2/3 Cavalry Regiment, mounts and attempts to flank what visualize the problem and CoA? Finally Fort Hood, Texas; regimental opera- most likely will be a defended position is the ability to lead the execution of a tions officer, 3rd Armored Cavalry Reg- is fundamentally sound. The trick in solution. This is not necessarily “out iment, Fort Hood; operations officer, this scenario is not to become deci- front” but often from a position where 1/3 Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort sively engaged and thereby compound you as the leader can make the Hood; commander, Headquarters and the battalion’s problem. The interest- decisions only you as a leader can Headquarters Troop, 1-1 Cavalry, ing discussion would be at what point make while providing the appropriate Budingen, Germany; and commander, does the lieutenant act without guid- presence to feel the outcome. Troop A, 1-1 Cavalry, Budingen. LTC O’Neal holds a bachelor’s of science ance? As we explore solutions to this and degree in international and strategic other tactical problems, it is important history from the U.S. Military Acade- to keep these three considerations in Closing my, West Point, and a master’s of arts mind. Remember: while it might be a “The commander should train to be degree in military arts and science doctrinally correct answer, can the able to cut to the heart of a situation, from Air University. recognize its important elements and leader communicate it simply and base decisions on those important ele- quickly is almost as important as a correct answer. Notes ments as a part of mastering the Army 1 Secure is a tactical mission task that in- profession. Commanders develop this These exercises allow us to get “men- volves preventing a unit, facility or geo- capability after years of education in tal reps” at dealing with tactical prob- graphical location from being damaged military schools, self-study and practi- lems. Engaging in problem-solving ses- or destroyed due to enemy action. cal training experiences, which eventu- sions helps build experience in facing 2 ally develop the intuitive faculties re- Clear is a tactical mission task that re- these types of tactical issues and pro- quires the commander to remove all ene- quired to solve tactical problems.” – vides mental references for future sce- ADRP 3-90 my forces and eliminate organized resis- narios. Finally, when done in an open tance within an assigned area. session with leaders and subordinates, This is a lot to expect a lieutenant to the associated dialogue – and often 3 Bypass is a tactical mission task in do, and the scenario could easily ex- debate – creates an opportunity to un- which the commander directs the unit to pand to address the battalion problem derstand how leaders approach solv- maneuver around an obstacle, position set. With that, audacity and initiative ing these types of tactical problems. or enemy force to maintain the momen- are values we nurture and seek to tum of the operation while deliberately Consequently, we as leaders are bet- avoiding combat with an enemy force. grow within our command cultures; ter able to anticipate and assume on however, understanding when audac- the battlefield even with the lack of 4 For a more complete discussion of by- ity and initiative become irresponsible clear guidance and perhaps compre- pass maneuver, see FM 3-90-1, Page B4. derives from experience and good hend what it means to “force passage 5 judgment. In this case – as in many onto the plain.” Defeat is a tactical mission task that oc- cases – we are asking the lieutenant to curs when an enemy force has temporar- interpret, anticipate, assume and take (Editor’s note: If you wish to present ily or permanently lost the physical responsible initiative within his com- an alternative solution, please submit means or the will to fight. it to usarmy.benning.tradoc.mbx.ar- mander’s intent. This is normal in com- 6 Destroy [email protected] within 30-45 is a tactical mission task that bat. How then do we grow audacity physically renders an enemy force com- and initiative within our commands days after this edition is posted on-line bat-ineffective until it is reconstituted. with limited access to training and but no later than Jan. 14, 2015. The combat experience? Perhaps, as ADRP material to be submitted is a fragmen- 7 The vagueness invoked by the simplistic 3-90 states, an element to that solu- tary order as if you were speaking on guidance “to force passage onto the tion is in studying and solving tactical the radio or via Blue Force Tracker plan” is purposeful and meant to evoke problems such as “Battle at Narrow message. Then, following your initial conversation and highlight the impor- tance of well-thought-out and clearly Bridge.” FRAGO, clearly define the problem(s) as you see it/them. Please submit both communicated commander’s intent. As we do these, it is good to remember your initial FRAGO and discussion of 8 Follow and support is a tactical mission there are three elements to solving the problem, assumptions and ratio- task in which a committed force follows tactical problems. First is the ability to nale for your solution to ARMOR for and supports a lead force conducting an identify the problem and determine possible publication.) offensive task.

7 July-September 2014 9 Follow and assume is a tactical mission task and is prepared to continue the mis- task in which a second committed force sion if the lead force is fixed, attrited or Acronym Quick-Scan follows a force conducting an offensive unable to continue. ADRP – Army doctrinal reference publication CP – checkpoint CoA – course of action FM – field manual FRAGO – fragmentary order OP – observation post PL – phase line WARNO – warning order

8 July-September 2014 TACTICAL DECISION EXERCISE Tactical Vignette 14-02: Showdown in the Central Corridor Situation the center of the zone. We are attempting to You are the commander of Company deny enemy advancement into the A, 1-8 Cavalry. Your infantry company brigade to destroy the main body with country’s capital. team consists of one tank and two enough combat power left to block a mechanized platoons; you have an at- You are first in the order of march for second-echelon detachment. tached engineer platoon and mortar the battalion as it conducts a move- section following in support. Your ment-to-contact. The battalion’s pur- Task and purpose company has priority of fires. The ter- pose is to find, fix and destroy the ad- 2/1 Cavalry: rain is mostly open desert flanked by vance guard of a brigade tactical group Task: Destroy the BTG. mountains, with some high terrain in (BTG) moving east, allowing your Purpose: Prevent the motorized rifle

9 October-December 2014 division from crossing east of the in- reconnaissance assets reporting some ternational border. 35 vehicles north of Hill 560 moving Acronym Quick-Scan east toward CP 4. You assume that the 1-8 Cavalry: element identified by 1st Platoon must BTG – brigade tactical group Task: Destroy the BTG’s advance be the reconnaissance detachment BFT – Blue Force Tracker guard. and that it is probably deploying to en- CP – command post Purpose: Enable 2/1 Cav to destroy the gage the battalion from Hill 110 (vicin- main body. ity CP 9), and you are unsure of the el- Company A, 1-8 Cav: ement identified on BFT. Task: Fix and destroy the forward re- You attempt to contact the battalion connaissance detachments. commander or S-3 on the command Purpose: Enable 1-8 Cav to destroy the net but receive no response. BFT has advance guard. the battalion frontline trace about 15 Scenario minutes out from CP 2. Based on the brigade spot report, you estimate that As you reach Checkpoint (CP) 2, based the BTG is at least 20 minutes from CP on his decision support criteria, your 4. It will take you about the same battalion commander decides to move amount of time to move northeast to your company south toward CP 8 to engage the reconnaissance detach- gain contact with the reconnaissance ment or northwest to intercept the un- detachment, suspected to be at CP 8. identified element on BFT. As you approach the intersection at CP 6, your trail platoon reports about 20 In two minutes or less, make your de- vehicles in formation, moving east and cision and issue your fragmentary or- starting to deploy north of CP 3. A mo- der and any other reports you would ment later, you notice a Blue Force submit. Tracker (BFT) icon appear from brigade

10 October-December 2014 TACTICAL DECISION EXERCISE Tactical Vignette 14-02: Author’s Solution to ‘Showdown in the Central Corridor’ When you take some time to think movement-to-contact. Units conduct be a standard operation for leaders to about it, every operation is in some a movement-to-contact when the en- master. form a movement-to-contact. Wheth- emy situation is vague or not specific er moving to position for a deliberate enough to conduct a deliberate attack, Further, our responsibility as leaders attack, conducting counter-reconnais- and even then, the approach to a de- at all levels is to manage transitions sance during a defense or executing liberate attack should be organized and, at its core, a movement-to-con- movement in stability operations, around a movement-to-contact’s guid- tact is simply a temporary state before each possesses key elements of a ing concepts. Consequently, it should a formation transitions to another

11 January-March 2015 type of operation. When conditions and place of the commander’s choos- are properly set, formations possess Tactical vignette ing. As a result, the designated forma- the capacity to quickly transition to tion should possess a degree of mobil- the attack or defense, and leaders can task and purpose ity, firepower and survivability that identify opportunity to seize the initia- 2/1 Cavalry: enables these tasks. Ideally, the ad- tive, a movement-to-contact facili- Task: Destroy the brigade tactical vance guard operates within support- tates accomplishing subsequent more- group (BTG). ing range of the main body’s weapon decisive operations. systems, is often the initial priority of Purpose: Prevent the motorized fires and possesses a mixture of com- rifle division from crossing east of Doctrinal analysis bined-arms capabilities appropriate to the international border. the mission. It should be both lethal and interpretation 1-8 Cavalry: and mobile. Normally, the advance Field Manual (FM) 3-90-1 states “a Task: Destroy the BTG’s advance guard conducts the following critical movement-to-contact employs pur- guard. tasks: poseful and aggressive movement, de- centralized control and the hasty de- Purpose: Enable 2/1 Cav to de- • Gain and maintain contact. Re- ployment of combined-arms forma- stroy the main body. connaissance assets typically conduct zone or area reconnaissance tions from the march to conduct of- Company A, 1-8 Cav: fensive, defensive or stability tasks.”1 focused on finding the enemy, ob- Task: Fix and destroy the forward Based on that definition, doctrine de- stacle identification and pulling reconnaissance detachments. scribes the fundamentals of a move- the advance guard into a position ment-to-contact as: Purpose: Enable 1-8 Cav to de- of advantage to assist in develop- stroy the advance guard. ing the situation for the main body. • Focus all efforts on finding the en- Following reconnaissance hand- emy. off, the advance guard maneuvers • Make initial contact with the small- Basic organization to determine enemy weaknesses est force possible, consistent with for further exploitation by the and critical tasks main body. protecting the force. The ultimate purpose of a movement- • Make initial contact with small, to-contact is to gain contact with the • Disrupt the enemy. Once the ad- mobile, self-contained forces to enemy. As our fundamentals dictate, vance guard begins to maneuver avoid decisive engagement of the ideally, we make contact with the on the enemy, it focuses effort on main body on ground chosen by smallest force possible to allow us to identifying enemy gaps and key the enemy. (This allows the com- preserve main-body combat power so terrain, along with destroying mander maximum flexibility to de- it can deploy in a position of advan- command-and-control (C2) ele- velop the situation.) tage. This allows us to seize and retain ments that serve to disrupt the en- the initiative. The basic formation for emy effort. The intent is to set con- • Task-organize the force and use a movement-to-contact consists of an ditions for the main body to exploit movement formations to deploy advance guard, main body and flank- the enemy’s weaknesses. and attack rapidly in any direction. and rear-security elements. However, • Fix the enemy. The advance guard • Keep subordinate forces within based on the formation’s size, it is of- then, within its capability, maneu- supporting distances to facilitate a ten problematic to generate forces to vers to fix the enemy main body to flexible response. accomplish these associated tasks and purposes without substantially de- prevent it from achieving a posi- • Once in contact, maintain contact grading the main body. Therefore, at a tion of advantage over the friend- regardless of the course of action minimum, a movement-to-contact has ly main body. adopted. an advance guard and main body, and MAIN BODY. The main body is the el- the commander looks for other meth- ement designated to conduct the de- While a thorough definition and ac- ods to gain flank and rear situational cisive operation resulting from gaining count of fundamentals, perhaps we awareness. Before we get to a solution contact. As such, its organization var- can restate them in simpler terms for for the tactical vignette, let us look at ies based on the amount of combat our use. Restated, they could read: the key components of a movement- power the commander task-organizes to-contact. • Find the enemy. to the various security elements sup- • Gain and maintain contact with the ADVANCE GUARD. The advance guard porting the main body. However, the smallest force possible. ensures the uninterrupted advance of main body typically transitions from the main body. To do this, the advance an approach march to either a hasty • Retain freedom of maneuver. guard moves ahead of the main body attack or a defense ideally positioned and works to 1) find the enemy, 2) de- to take advantage of an enemy’s weak- • Rapidly transition to attack, de- 2 fense or retrograde operations. velop the situation for the command- ness through maneuver. As such, its er, but most importantly, 3) facilitate task-organization should reflect the • Finish decisively. the main body’s deployment at a time ability to maneuver to conduct

12 January-March 2015 decisive operations. The typical critical tasks the main body conducts are: • Maneuver. Tempo is the key to successful maneuver and transition from the approach march into another type of operation. Ideally, the main body is capable of deploying faster than the enemy de- ploys and thereby forces the enemy to react to friendly maneuver. Critical to this concept is the successful battle handoff and passage of lines between the security forces (usually the advance guard) and the main body. The object is to place the main body’s strength against the enemy’s weaknesses as swiftly as possible, and the advance guard and reconnaissance elements serve to facilitate the commander’s knowledge of those weaknesses. Effectively, this is what developing the situation means. • Follow-on actions. This task accomplishes the overall task and purpose of the operation and typ- Figure 1. Force organized for a movement-to-contact. (From FM 3-90-1, Page ically serves as the decisive task. 2-2) The subordinate formation’s task and purpose nest within the high- causes some concern of whether that main body and attempt to gain contact er headquarters to ensure comple- is still relevant. with the expected enemy main body mentary efforts. The result of the moving from our east? Are there other maneuver is ordinarily a transition What we think we know. We will as- options? to an attack, or depending on the sume that the enemy’s organization terrain and enemy, transition to a consists of one to three combat recon- Option 1: Engage defense. naissance patrols, a reconnaissance detachment, an advanced guard, a reconnaissance Analysis of tactical main body and a reserve. Further, we detachment problem will also assume that the enemy will Our task clearly states to destroy the flow to success, meaning that where reconnaissance detachment. However, What we know. As we said earlier, we he finds the least resistance, he will how do we know if the contact to our know we are in visual contact with 20 move his follow-on echelons, rather north is the reconnaissance detach- vehicles moving east and starting to than reinforcing failure. We can also ment? Normally, intelligence sections deploy north of Checkpoint (CP) 3. (We assume that our separation from the (S-2s) are best at classifying echelons suspect this is the reconnaissance de- main body is allowing the enemy un- in that they have a better situational tachment.) We also know that there hindered deployment against our main understanding of often-conflicting are 35 vehicles moving rapidly toward body. spot reports.4 In this case, based in CP 4. (We suspect this is the advance some part on our inability to talk to guard.) Our hasty time-distance analy- Given this information, we have sever- battalion, we are unsure of our con- sis puts the suspected reconnaissance al options. First: we are in contact and tact. Nevertheless, what we do have is detachment in position to affect our must begin developing the situation a spot report of an element that meets main body before it reaches CP 2. With for the main body; however, our deci- the basic outline of what we expect of that, the most important fact we know sion is complicated. Do we assume a reconnaissance detachment’s com- is that we are in contact (visual only at that the contact to our north is the reposition (20 vehicles deploying to our this point). We are unable to receive connaissance detachment and “action north). battalion guidance. We also know that right” to address it in accordance with our task is to destroy the reconnais- our stated task and purpose? Alterna- We have several other considerations. sance detachment so that our battal- tively, do we assume that we should First, to stay true to our fundamentals, ion can destroy the advance guard.3 ignore contact with the reconnais- we must work to maintain contact However, the developing situation sance detachment, pass it off to our (ideally with the smallest force

13 January-March 2015 possible), and that dictates a transition “My intent is to gain contact, develop consideration that we have to deal from the march to maneuver against the situation and then either attack or with the gap in both guidance and sup- the suspected reconnaissance detach- find good ground to defend. I expect porting fires. This gap really drives our ment. This action could disrupt or fix that once we gain contact, they will try ultimate decision and outweighs the the reconnaissance detachment and, to fix us and bypass us to the east be- perceived benefits of moving toward depending on how we capitalize on the tween CP 2 and Hill 110; we cannot let the advance guard. Since the spot re- terrain, we could destroy it. However, that happen. Bottom line, that forma- port came across Blue Force Tracker, if we wait too long, the main body will tion cannot put direct fire on the main you can assume the battalion and bri- pass through CP 2 and begin receiving body. gade commanders are working on how direct fires – violating our overall pur- to deal with the advance guard, but “Tasks to subordinate units: pose. Further, and perhaps most im- you cannot assume that they know portantly, as we maneuver against the • Blue (tank). Reverse march and about the reconnaissance detachment reconnaissance detachment, we ex- maintain visual contact on the lead moving into their flank; therefore, that pose our own flank to the oncoming enemy elements. Find good cover has to be your priority. advanced guard. and wait for White to move on- Finally, what this scenario provides is line. reinforcement of units having well- Option 2: Bypass • White (tank). Move to Blue’s left practiced standing operating proce- reconnaissance de- flank and establish a support-by- dures, detailed engagement criteria tachment, engage fire position overwatching Blue’s and well-understood bypass criteria. movement. Once on-line, begin In the lack of guidance, units and lead- advanced guard bounding overwatch with Blue to ers make many decisions within the Option 2 is to continue movement to- gain contact. If you do not get con- left and right limit of these types of co- ward CP 6 and find suitable ground to tact, press toward CP 2 as quickly ordinating instructions. establish a hasty defense between as you can so we can establish a As units discuss this and other tactical Hills 560 and 210 oriented on CP 4. The hasty defense protecting the main scenarios, it is useful to take some intent of this option is to turn the ad- body’s move south of CP 2. vanced guard toward CP 2, thereby time and discuss how current operat- forcing them toward our main body. • Red (mech). You are our reserve. ing procedures would or could be used The assumption is if we can effective- Stay with me and be prepared to within the scenario. As always, the ly turn the advanced guard, then the transition to hasty attack or de- more we talk about these and other main body would be in position to fense. tactical problems, the better we are at solving the ones to come. both destroy the reconnaissance de- • Apache Redleg. Priority of fires is tachment and disrupt the advanced Blue. I want to use fires to disrupt LTC Scott O’Neal is a lifelong student of guard. Many assumptions roll into this and assist in breaking contact. the profession who believes in the de- decision; however, we do address the tailed practice and study of tactics. He battalion’s overall task to destroy the “Coordinating instructions: has had the privilege of leading Sol- advanced guard, but we also fail to • Stay mobile; we cannot get fixed. diers from platoon through battalion meet our specified task to destroy the The idea is to stay between our level and served on a variety of opera- reconnaissance detachment. main body and their main effort. tional staffs throughout his career; his That said, there are many permuta- • Engagement criteria. Engage C2 duty assignments have included squad- tions of dealing with the reconnais- vehicles, armor and anti-tank sys- ron commander, 2/3 Cavalry Regiment, sance detachment (should we choose tems. Fort Hood, Texas; regimental opera- this course of action), but mostly they tions officer, 3rd Armored Cavalry Reg- fall into either “maintain contact” or • Bypass criteria. Bypass one to iment, Fort Hood; operations officer, “report the reconnaissance detach- three vehicles. Focus efforts on 1/3 Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort ment and continue mission.” greater than three vehicle forma- Hood; commander, Headquarters and tions.” Headquarters Troop, 1-1 Cavalry, Author’s solution Budingen, Germany; and commander, “Apache, this is Apache 6. FRAGO fol- Rationale and Troop A, 1-1 Cavalry, Budingen. LTC lows. conclusion O’Neal holds a bachelor’s of science Generally, this solution lines up with degree in international and strategic “Blue has visual contact with approxi- the first option based on the rationale history from the U.S. Military Acade- mately 20 vehicles moving north of CP that we must gain and maintain con- my, West Point, and a master’s of arts 3. I don’t know if that is the reconnais- tact above almost all other consider- degree in military arts and science sance detachment or not, but we can’t ations. Given this, there are still some from Air University. let something that large affect our concerns based on this decision. main body; therefore, we are going to Notes attack to destroy that formation be- First, the lack of comms, combined 1 FM 3-90-1, Page 2-3. fore they reach CP 2 and are able to fix with the separation from the main 2 An approach march is the advance of a the battalion. body, presents the very real combat unit when direct contact with

14 January-March 2015 the enemy is intended (Army Doctrinal elements moving through the National Reference Publication 3-90). Training Center’s Central Corridor was Acronym Quick-Scan 3 Destroy is a tactical mission task that widely known. Combat-arms officers physically renders an enemy force com- knew the composition and disposition of C2 – command and control bat-ineffective until it is reconstituted the threat better than intelligence offi- CP – checkpoint (FM 3-90-1, C1). cers did, and while that time has passed, FM – field manual FRAGO – fragmentary order 4 The contemporary threat depicted in mechanized or mobile movements still the combat training centers constantly require the same basic echeloning of adjusts based on the desired training ob- forces and should be discussed within jectives. However, there was a time that the overall enemy order of battle. the timing of the various opposing-force

Index of 2014 Articles and Authors

Articles by Title Brannan, 1LT Paul A.; January-Febru- Environment”; Green, LTC Andrew L., “1st Armored Division Leads Army in ary 2014. Joy, Bradley and Rykard, Edward; Jan- uary-February 2014. Re-examining Mission Command ‘Ini- “Developing Mission Focus to Ensure tiatives’”; Harrington, BG Joseph P., Ri- Military Expertise and Esprit de Corps “Intelligence Support to a Cavalry erson, Dr. William M., Jones, promot- in Army of 2020”; Klein, CPT Gary M. Squadron”; Miseli, LTC Jason A., able LTC Marcus and Dvorak, MAJ and Harrell, 1LT Christopher P.; March- McLean, MAJ Gregory W. and Bovan, John; November-December 2014. June 2014. CPT Jeremy; July-September 2014. “All-Bradley Scout Platoon at National “Doing More with Less”; Krasznitzer, “Knowledge Management at the Bri- Training Center Rotation 14-04, The”; LTC Franz; November-December 2014. gade”; Laybourn, MAJ Thomas E.; Jan- Bove, CPT Robert, Kaness, CPT Michael uary-February 2014. and Page, CPT Jonathan; July-Septem- “’Driver, How Much Fuel Do We ber 2014. Have?’”; Kepley, LTC William; Novem- “Lessons from Exportable Combat ber-December 2014. Training Center Rotation 14-02”; Kue- “Armored Brigade Combat Team 2014- ster, LTC Sean Hunt and Guthrie, MAJ 2024: Improving Abrams Lethality, “Elite Mechanized Formations in an Nathan; November-December 2014. The”; Brown, MAJ Robert; January- Age of Expeditionary Operations”; El- February 2014. moniary, 1LT Kier; March-June 2014. “Lost Sabers: Why We Need Opera- tional Cavalry and How to Get It Back”; “Ask the Right Questions, and You’ll “Fostering a Culture of Mission Com- Nance, MAJ William S.; November-De- Get a Better Answer: How Training in mand”; Blanton, CPT David E.; March- cember 2014. the Philosophy of Mission Command June 2014. “Measures of Effectiveness in Army Will Enable Our Commanders to Get “Global Positioning System and the Staffs to Get It Right the First Time”; Doctrine”; Guffey, CPT Jason and Maneuver Soldier”; Drew, CPT Jerry V. Westphal, CPT Tom; November-De- Formica, CPT Anthony M.; March-June II; March-June 2014. 2014. cember 2014. “How Garryowen and the Standard “Next Combat Vehicle, The”; Lamont, “Bastogne Fusion Process: a Com- Scout Platoon Equal Effective Recon”; retired USMC LTC Robert W.; July-Sep- mander-Centric Approach to Planning Miseli, LTC Jason A., McLean, MAJ tember 2014. and Decision-Making, The”; Kiniery, Gregory W. and Van Ingen, CPT Dirk K.; LTC Philip and Sentell, LTC Scott; July- July-September 2014. “Not Just Infantry with Tanks: Who We September 2014. Should Be and Why the Army Needs Us “How We Got Here and Where We are “Cavalry Branch: a Redesignation for to Be It”; Spolizino, CPT Thomas; July- Going: a Doctrinal Approach to the the 21st Century”; Jennings, CPT Na- September 2014. Health of the Force”; Eisenberger, CPT than A.; January-February 2014. Keith, Knepp, CPT Nick and Steadman, “Observations from the Opposing “Cavalry: the Mounted Arm of Maneu- CPT J.P.; January-February 2014. Force”; Fox, CPT Amos C. and Rossow, ver”; Rossow, CPT Andrew J.; March- CPT Andrew J.; January-February 2014. “Integrating Armored Warfare and June 2014. What That Could Mean for the Infan- “Observations from the Opposing “Cluster Munitions No More: What try Brigade Combat Team”; Taylor, MAJ Force, Part II: Movement-to-Contact This Means for the U.S. Military”; Ja- Joshua A.; November-December 2014. Lessons-Learned from National Train- cobson, LTC Mike; November-Decem- ing Center Rotation 12-05”; Fox, CPT “Integrating Live, Virtual, Constructive ber 2014. Amos C.; July-September 2014. Enablers: U.S. Army in Europe’s Ability “’Confessions of Mediocrity’”; to Create a Blended Training “Partnership at Troop Level is Essential

15 January-March 2015 Element in Joint Distributed Opera- Authors the Opposing Force, Part II: Move- tions During Drawdown Transition ment-to-Contact Lessons-Learned Bies, MAJ Charles G.; “Too Light to from Counterinsurgency to Foreign In- from National Training Center Rotation Fight: the Infantry Brigade Combat ternational Defense”; Kelly, MAJ Mi- 12-05”; July-September 2014. Team Cavalry Troop in Combined-Arms chael J.; March-June 2014. Maneuver”; July-September 2014. Green, LTC Andrew L.; “Integrating “Planning Assumptions: Are They Re- Live, Virtual, Constructive Enablers: Blanton, CPT David E.; “Fostering a Cul- ally Necessary and Valid?”; Hodge, re- U.S. Army in Europe’s Ability to Create ture of Mission Command”; March- tired LTC George; March-June 2014. a Blended Training Environment”; Jan- June 2014. uary-February 2014. “Platform Immaterial: Reconnaissance Bovan, CPT Jeremy; “Intelligence Sup- Challenges in a Decisive-Action Train- Guffey, CPT Jason; “Measures of Effec- port to a Cavalry Squadron”; July-Sep- ing Environment”; Desai, CPT Jaison D.; tiveness in Army Doctrine”; Novem- tember 2014. July-September 2014. ber-December 2014. Bove, CPT Robert; “The All-Bradley “Reconnaissance and Surveillance Guthrie, MAJ Nathan; “Lessons from Scout Platoon at National Training Leader’s Course”; Randall, Nicole; Jan- Exportable Combat Training Center Center Rotation 14-04”; July-Septem- uary-February 2014. Rotation 14-02”; November-December ber 2014. 2014. “Stability Corps: Organizational Brannan, 1LT Paul A.; “’Confessions of Change for Full-Spectrum Capability, Harrell, 1LT Christopher P.; “Develop- Mediocrity’”; January-February 2014. The”; Feret, CPT Eli; July-September ing Mission Focus to Ensure Military 2014. Brown, MAJ Robert; “The Armored Expertise and Esprit de Corps in Army Brigade Combat Team 2014-2024: Im- of 2020”; March-June 2014. “Strike Now: Why the Armored Gun proving Abrams Lethality”; January- System Must Be Purchased in This Fis- Harrington, BG Joseph P.; “1st Armored February 2014. cal Climate”; Suthoff, CPT Josh T.; Division Leads Army in Re-examining March-June 2014. Desai, CPT Jaison D.; “Platform Imma- Mission Command ‘Initiatives’”; No- terial: Reconnaissance Challenges in a vember-December 2014. “Sustaining the Squadron: Sustain- Decisive-Action Training Environ- ment Lessons-Learned at National Hodge, retired LTC George; “Planning ment”; July-September 2014. Training Center”; Randi, CPT Matthew Assumptions: Are They Really Neces- M. II; March-June 2014. Drew, CPT Jerry V. II; “Global Position- sary and Valid?”; March-June 2014. ing System and the Maneuver Soldier”; “Sustaining the Standard Scout Pla- Jacobson, LTC Mike; “Cluster Muni- March-June 2014. toon”; Underwood, MAJ Bob and Turn- tions No More: What This Means for er, CPT William; July-September 2014. Dvorak, MAJ John; “1st Armored Divi- the U.S. Military”; November-Decem- sion Leads Army in Re-examining Mis- ber 2014. “Sustainment Portal Provides Relevant sion Command ‘Initiatives’”; Novem- Tool to Improve Readiness”; Snell, Dr. Jennings, CPT Nathan A.; “Cavalry ber-December 2014. Reginald L.; November-December Branch: a Redesignation for the 21st 2014. Elmoniary, 1LT Kier; “Elite Mechanized Century”; January-February 2014. Formations in an Age of Expeditionary “Tactics, Techniques and Procedures Jones, promotable LTC Marcus; “1st Ar- Operations”; March-June 2014. for Employing Brigade and Task-Force mored Division Leads Army in Re-ex- Engineers”; Smallfield, COL Jason L.; Eisenberger, CPT Keith; “How We Got amining Mission Command ‘Initia- November-December 2014. Here and Where We are Going: a Doc- tives’”; November-December 2014. trinal Approach to the Health of the “Tagging, Tracking and Locating: Intel- Joy, Bradley; “Integrating Live, Virtual, Force”; January-February 2014. ligence Gathering in Support of Army Constructive Enablers: U.S. Army in Eu- 2020”; Lowry, LTC Eric; March-June Feret, CPT Eli; “The Stability Corps: Or- rope’s Ability to Create a Blended 2014. ganizational Change for Full-Spectrum Training Environment”; January-Febru- “Too Light to Fight: the Infantry Bri- Capability”; July-September 2014. ary 2014. gade Combat Team Cavalry Troop in Formica, CPT Anthony M.; “Ask the Kaness, CPT Michael; “The All-Bradley Combined-Arms Maneuver”; Bies, MAJ Right Questions, and You’ll Get a Bet- Scout Platoon at National Training Charles G.; July-September 2014. ter Answer: How Training in the Philos- Center Rotation 14-04”; July-Septem- ophy of Mission Command Will Enable “Transforming Tanks to Boots”; Rinal- ber 2014. Our Commanders to Get Staffs to Get di, CPT Nicholas A., Strickland, 1LT Kelly, MAJ Michael J.; “Partnership at It Right the First Time”; March-June Chad J. and Winczewski, SFC David J.; Troop Level is Essential Element in 2014. November-December 2014. Joint Distributed Operations During Fox, CPT Amos C.; “Observations from “What Our Army Needs is a True Aero Drawdown Transition from Counterin- the Opposing Force”; January-Febru- Scout”; Nuckols, COL William T. Jr. and surgency to Foreign International De- ary 2014. Rose, Peter W. II; July-September fense”; March-June 2014. 2014. Fox, CPT Amos C.; “Observations from Kepley, LTC William; “’Driver, How

16 January-March 2015 Much Fuel Do We Have?’”; November- Nance, MAJ William S.; “Lost Sabers: Techniques and Procedures for Em- December 2014. Why We Need Operational Cavalry and ploying Brigade and Task-Force Engi- How to Get It Back”; November-De- neers”; November-December 2014. Kiniery, LTC Philip; “The Bastogne Fu- cember 2014. sion Process: a Commander-Centric Snell, Dr. Reginald L.; “Sustainment Approach to Planning and Decision- Nuckols, COL William T. Jr.; “What Our Portal Provides Relevant Tool to Im- Making”; July-September 2014. Army Needs is a True Aero Scout”; Ju- prove Readiness”; November-Decem- ly-September 2014. ber 2014. Klein, CPT Gary M.; “Developing Mis- sion Focus to Ensure Military Expertise Page, CPT Jonathan; “The All-Bradley Spolizino, CPT Thomas; “Not Just In- and Esprit de Corps in Army of 2020”; Scout Platoon at National Training fantry with Tanks: Who We Should Be March-June 2014. Center Rotation 14-04”; July-Septem- and Why the Army Needs Us to Be It”; ber 2014. July-September 2014. Knepp, CPT Nick; “How We Got Here and Where We are Going: a Doctrinal Randall, Nicole; “Reconnaissance and Steadman, CPT J.P.; “How We Got Here Approach to the Health of the Force”; Surveillance Leader’s Course”; Janu- and Where We are Going: a Doctrinal January-February 2014. ary-February 2014. Approach to the Health of the Force”; January-February 2014. Krasznitzer, LTC Franz; “Doing More Randi, CPT Matthew M. II; “Sustaining with Less”; November-December 2014. the Squadron: Sustainment Lessons- Strickland, 1LT Chad J.; “Transforming Learned at National Training Center”; Tanks to Boots”; November-December Kuester, LTC Sean Hunt; “Lessons from March-June 2014. 2014. Exportable Combat Training Center Rotation 14-02”; November-December Rierson, Dr. William M.; “1st Armored Suthoff, CPT Josh T.; “Strike Now: Why 2014. Division Leads Army in Re-examining the Armored Gun System Must Be Pur- Mission Command ‘Initiatives’”; No- chased in This Fiscal Climate”; March- Lamont, retired USMC LTC Robert W.; vember-December 2014. June 2014. “The Next Combat Vehicle”; July-Sep- tember 2014. Rinaldi, CPT Nicholas A.; “Transform- Taylor, MAJ Joshua A.; “Integrating Ar- ing Tanks to Boots”; November-De- mored Warfare and What That Could Laybourn, MAJ Thomas E.; “Knowledge cember 2014. Mean for the Infantry Brigade Combat Management at the Brigade”; January- Team”; November-December 2014. February 2014. Rose, Peter W. II.; “What Our Army Needs is a True Aero Scout”; July-Sep- Turner, CPT William; “Sustaining the Lowry, LTC Eric; “Tagging, Tracking and tember 2014. Standard Scout Platoon”; July-Septem- Locating: Intelligence Gathering in ber 2014. Support of Army 2020”; March-June Rossow, CPT Andrew J.; “Cavalry: the 2014. Mounted Arm of Maneuver”; March- Underwood, MAJ Bob; “Sustaining the June 2014. Standard Scout Platoon”; July-Septem- McLean, MAJ Gregory W.; “How Gar- ber 2014. ryowen and the Standard Scout Pla- Rossow, CPT Andrew J.; “Observations toon Equal Effective Recon”; July-Sep- from the Opposing Force”; January- Van Ingen, CPT Dirk K.; “How Garryow- tember 2014. February 2014. en and the Standard Scout Platoon Equal Effective Recon”; July-Septem- McLean, MAJ Gregory W.; “Intelli- Rykard, Edward; “Integrating Live, Vir- ber 2014. gence Support to a Cavalry Squadron”; tual, Constructive Enablers: U.S. Army July-September 2014. in Europe’s Ability to Create a Blended Westphal, CPT Tom; “Measures of Ef- Training Environment”; January-Febru- fectiveness in Army Doctrine”; Novem- Miseli, LTC Jason A.; “How Garryowen ary 2014. ber-December 2014. and the Standard Scout Platoon Equal Effective Recon”; July-September Sentell, LTC Scott; “The Bastogne Fu- Winczewski, SFC David J.; “Transform- 2014. sion Process: a Commander-Centric ing Tanks to Boots”; November-De- Approach to Planning and Decision- cember 2014. Miseli, LTC Jason A.; “Intelligence Sup- Making”; July-September 2014. port to a Cavalry Squadron”; July-Sep- tember 2014. Smallfield, COL Jason L.; “Tactics,

17 January-March 2015