1. Training/Exercise Title: Game #1 Town Capture (Red attacking)
Event: Defend Tower #1
Date/time: 22AUG10 1100R
Location of observation: 2nd floor of Tower #1
Observation:
2nd floor was manned by Les, Warlock (as medic), and me. Les had the N sector and I had the S sector. Warlock stayed out of sight. Cheech had all sectors on the ground floor.
About 5 enemies initiated fire around grid E7. Les traded sector with me since he had better range of fire with his M14. Soon one enemy occupy the barrier at grid D6 and laid down fire on Les' position, which, coupled with fire from grid E7, prevented him from returning fire. I also observed one enemy lurking about grid D3, but he's outside of my range.
Ground floor was taken after both Cheech and Les got hit.
Discussion:
There should be an overlap of firing sectors.[1,2] One operator should not be in charge of multiple sectors, as what Cheech did.
Recommendation:
Ground floor of Tower#1 should be manned by at least 3 operators. Designs of Tower#1 prevent adequate firing sector overlap at the eastern approach, so there should be a firing position outside of the eastern wall of Tower #1, utilizing the tires as cover (I assume they can be repositioned).
Note: Red won Game #1
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2. Training/Exercise Title: Game #2 Town Capture (White attacking)
Event 1: Assault Tower #1 Attempt #1
Date/time: 22AUG10 1200R
Location of observation: Grid E6
Observation:
I was following "Mr. T" and another guy through the treeline to Tower #1 at Grid E6. The other guy broke off to a position a little to the south and remained in the treeline to provide fire support. "Mr. T" and I advanced to the barrier at Grid D6 without drawing too much attention. I observed enemy movement at building #3 and #5 and Tower #1, and fired a few rounds at them. Soon, our position received heavy fire from the above locations, and we were pinned down. "Mr. T" tried to raise the other guy for support without success, and we were killed by enemy counter attack.
Discussion:
When contact with the enemy is made, a decision should be made to either attack or break contact. Due to time limit and loss of communication with the rest of White, the team should attack. Team leader should tell the men where to fire from, what to fire at, or where to move to. When one element is firing, the other element should move to another cover.[3]
Recommendation:
Although I was not designated as the team leader, I should ask "Mr. T" to move toward Tower #1 when I was taking shot at enemy locations.
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Event 2:Assault Tower #1 Attempt #2
Date/time: 22AUG10 1230R
Location of observation: Grid E5
Observation:
I was following "Mr. T" and 4 other guys through the treeline to Tower #1 at Grid E5. We were able to get to the eastern wall of Tower #1 (where the guy with death rag was in the picture below) without drawing attention. The enemy's attention appeared to be drawn by attack around south or west of the town. "Mr. T" attempted to go through the door way (left of the guy with death rag in the picture below), but he came face-to-face with an enemy and had to parlay each other. I drew a Thunder B flash bang and made sure the other guys were ready. Seeing their heads nodding, I pulled the pin, counted "one-thousand, two-thousand, three-thousand", and threw the flash bang through the door way. Right after the flash bang landed, it went off with a loud "bang". I went through the door way and bang-banged the two occupants, who were running away from the flash bang at the moment.
Discussion:
1st person should wait for the rest of the team line up by the wall, let the 2nd person toss in the flash bang, and move in as quickly as possible to take up point of domination in the room.[4]
Recommendation:
Room clearing technique requires a lot of practice as a team. We were lucky that it worked fine
Note:
The was the second best part of the day - the best part was being accepted by SAF as part of the team. Also, Steve on the receiving end said the flash bang hopped into groin after it went off. That must be quite a scene!
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3. Training/Exercise Title: Game #3 Capture the Flag (White had the town, Red had the play house)
Event: Defend Building #3
Date/time: 22AUG10 1300R
Location of observation: Building #3
Observation:
Cheech had Building #1 and was in charge of of NE sector. I had Building #3 and was in charge of SW sector. Plague was in an ambush position near Grid A5, and another guy was hiding near Grid B6. I saw one of our 4-men team moving south along the trail at Grid A5, but they got KIA soon afterward. I was told by Les in Tower #2 that the enemy was moving north along the trail that our attack team just used, and I saw some movement near Grid A6, but Plague got them pinned down. When I swept the area near Grid C7, I saw an enemy just in time and shot him.
Discussion:
Same as Game #1
Recommendation:
Building #3 should be manned by two operators to maximize mutual support.
Note: I was told that Gerbil was the hero of the game. He took the trail running south at Grid F4 and was able to sneak toward enemy position undetected and grabbed their flag.
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4. Training/Exercise Title: Game #4 Capture the Flag (Red had the town, White had the play house)
Event 1: Assaulting the Town
Date/time: 22AUG10 1500R
Location of observation: Grid B4
Observation:
Les, CY72, and I formed a line and advanced slowly toward the town in the south. Les was taking long distance shot at the enemy in Tower #1, and I was told to move forward. I came close to Building #1 but was shot.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05HB81mdeMc
Discussion:
The normal distance between team members should be 10 meters. Any further decreases the support to each other.[1, 3] When assaulting enemy position, fire and maneuver technique should be used whether it is a buddy team, fire team, or squad.[3]
Recommendation:
Practice fire and maneuver drills.
Note: After the assault failed, White was on the defense near the play house
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Event 2: Defending the play house
Date/time: 22AUG10 1600R
Location of observation: Play house at Grid G6
Observation:
I was assigned to defend the southern approach with 1337cat. He was positioned behind the barrier at F6, watching the south. And I was positioned behind a bush at G6, watching the east. The enemy initiated attack from the west, and 1337cat was forced to turn his sector 180 degrees to the north. I was shooting at an enemy to the east at G6, but a few enemies appeared at 1337cat's previous sector and shot me. On my way to regenerate at the play house, a few more enemies appeared east of the play house and captured our flag.
Discussion:
Firing sectors should be maintained as long as possible. [1,2] But it was difficult to do so when Red executed a perfect three-pronged attack.
Recommendation:
Emphasize sector overlap to maximize support to each other when designing defensive positions.
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5. Training/Exercise Title: Game #5 Town Capture (White attacking)
Event: Assaulting Tower #1
Date/time: 22AUG10 1700R
Location of observation: Grid E5
Observation:
It was going to be the same drill as Game #2 attempt #2, but this time, the Thunder B flash bang failed me. After I pulled the pin, I did not hear the sound of gas coming out, so I thought it malfunctioned. And then it went off on my hand - I was seeing stars and hearing hallelujah after that.
Discussion:
None.
Recommendation:
I've got to test the Thunder B flash bang a few more times.
Note: Red won the game.
Appendix I. Tactical Map:
Appendix III. Photos of the Mercer Field
Mercer photos
Appendix III. REF:
1. FM 7-8 Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad
2. FM 90-10-1 An Infantryman's Guide to Combat in Built-Up Areas
3. FM 21-75 Combat Skills of The Soldier
4. SH 21-76 Ranger Handbook
