convoy survivability 144 elo h conduct actions at the release point (rp)

CONVOY SURVIVABILITY

2

ELO HCONDUCT ACTIONS AT THE

RELEASE POINT (RP)


3

COMPLETE RELEASE POINTACTIVITIES

Coordinate RP security Coordinate medical support for ambulatory patients Report arrival and status to higher headquarters Coordinate disposition of KIAs Direct off-loading of cargo Coordinate maintenance or disposal of damaged vehicles Coordinate issue of ammunition and supplies


4

COMPLETE RELEASE POINT ACTIVITIES(Continued)

Coordinate mess and billeting Submit convoy commander’s report to higher HQ Prepare order and briefing for return convoy Direct upload of return trip cargo Debrief the S2 element


5

ELO IDESCRIBE THE PURPOSE ANDFUNCTION OF A GUN TRUCK

“The Eve of Destruction”


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VIET NAM GUN TRUCKS

“Iron Butterfly”


7

VIET NAM GUN TRUCKS

“The Untouchable”


8

VIET NAM GUN TRUCKS

“The Piece Maker”


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LESSONS LEARNED INVIET NAM

Strict adherence to regulations sometimes impeded success Engine noise caused delays in recognizing attacks Gun trucks were excessively heavy Limited ammunition equals limited effectiveness Drivers are best defended by other drivers Gun trucks should be highly visible and intimidating In ambush, the enemy would target gun trucks (specifically the drivers) first Gun trucks did not have an adverse effect on a trans unit’s mission capability


10

LESSONS LEARNED IN VIET NAM, cont.

Ideal gun truck armor was a double layer of steel plate Sandbags had to be maintained Trucks loaded with the hulks of APCs were too heavy and unbalanced The box type gun truck was best Gun trucks generally had four crew members The M-2 .50 caliber machine gun was the best weapon

“The Outlaw”


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LESSONS LEARNED INVIET NAM, cont.

Gun shields were heavy and restricted observation Shotguns, M-79 grenade launchers, and M-60 machine guns were highly effective secondary weapons Intercom link between members of a gun truck crew was critical The ideal ratio of gun trucks to task vehicles = 1:10 Gun trucks were well-suited to serve as convoy control vehicles In an ambush, gun trucks were deployed into the kill zone for a quick and violent response The area immediately surrounding the gun truck is dead space


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GUN TRUCK FUNCTIONS

Ambush deterrence Ambush defense Control vehicles Forward security element (FSE) Rear security Perimeter security during halts Evacuation of wounded from the kill zone Security for disabled vehicles


13

ELO JIDENTIFY GUN TRUCK

CREW DUTIES


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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS(All Crew Members)

Qualification on all weapons to be employed Troop Leading Procedures, Standing Operating Procedures, and reporting requirements All battle drills Target identification and engagement Latest enemy TTPs Convoy control and movement techniques Safety and risk assessment Rules of Engagement (ROE) First aid


15

GUN TRUCK SECTION LEADER(Convoy Preparation)

Organizes crews and issues OPORD Briefs gun truck section Conducts pre-combat checks (PCC) Conducts pre-combat inspections (PCI) Conducts section rehearsals Participates in convoy rehearsals


16

GUN TRUCK SECTION LEADER/COMMANDER

(Convoy execution) Crosses start point (SP) on time Maintains position in convoy Controls gun trucks Maintains discipline and adheres to SOP Maintains convoy security Identifies threat and returns fire aggressively Identifies and fires on enemy FO (indirect fire) Quickly assesses situation and reports to convoy commander In convoy commander’s absence, acts aggressively


17

GUN TRUCK SECTION LEADER/COMMANDER

(At the halt) AS FSE, selects halt locations that ensure security Positions gun trucks for maximum security Conducts consolidation and reorganization Submits SITREP/SALUTE report


18

ELO KHARDEN GUN TRUCKS

“Highland Raiders”


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HARDEN THE VEHICLE Basic hardening Commercial kits Ideal armor (?) double layer of steel plate Box configuration Doors and floorboard Windows/windshield Readily accessible Field expedient


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ARM THE GUN TRUCK Determine weapons assets required Determine assets available Coordinate with higher HQ to obtain shortfalls Determine how weapons will be mounted

• Ring mounts• Pedestal mounts• Gun shields• Location• Supplemental weapons and pyrotechnics• Training


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ELO LEMPLOY GUN TRUCKS

“Little Respect”


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BASIC EMPLOYMENT Aggressive, yet controlled and disciplined posture Functional communications systems Minimum of two gun trucks per convoy; three or more with convoys greater than ten vehicles Gun Truck 1 responsibilities Gun Truck 2 responsibilities Gun Truck 3 responsibilities


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MANEUVER RESPONSIBILITIES

Deter ambush through intimidation Disperse crowds blocking the road Scan and identify RPG gunners Secure intersections and block civilian traffic Provide security at halts, rally points, disabled vehicle, and CASEVAC halts On IED attack, repel follow-on attacks Maneuver to block civilian vehicles attempting to infiltrate the convoy


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FORWARD SECURITY ELEMENT(FSE)

Clear route, identify IEDs, check choke points, provide show of force If two or three gun trucks in the convoy, stay in line of sight of the convoy, no more than 1 to 2 km If four or more gun trucks, two gun trucks may scout ahead, no more than 3 km Never deploy one gun truck alone as an FSE Maintain communication with convoy at all times Travel in overwatch formation


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SECURE OVERPASS

Direction of Travel

After Gun Truck #1clears overpass andbefore convoy arrives,Gun Truck #2 assumesposition on other side of overpass

Gun Truck #1clears overpass

Gun Truck #2provides overwatchwhile Gun Truck #1clears overpass

After convoy passes,gun trucks assume their original positionsin the convoy 1

2

3

4


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RETURNING FIRE FROM OVERPASS

Gun Truck

Civilian Vehicle

Friendly Fire

Enemy Fire

Gun Truck #1 moves up theon ramp to engage the enemy

Gun Truck #2 flanks theenemy from the other side of the ramp

BEWARE OFFRATRICIDE!

Direction of Travel


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NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC CIRCLE

Directionof

Traffic

Civilian VehicleTask Vehicle Gun Truck


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NEGOTIATE ON/OFF RAMP

Task Vehicle

Gun Truck

Civilian Vehicle


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AMBUSH PROCEDURES

Gun trucks forward of kill zone maintain security for the forward element unless called back Gun trucks in kill zone return fire to neutralize the threat Gun trucks to rear of kill zone (except the last vehicle) move forward to engage the enemy and neutralize the threat


30

AMBUSH PROCEDURES(CONTINUED)

Rear gun truck remains with trail element unless called forward by convoy commander All gun trucks prepare to move, on order, to engage the enemy Gun trucks continue to engage the enemy until threat is neutralized or the kill zone is cleared Gun trucks provide security during consolidation and reorganization


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SUMMARY

“I got this jacket at Wal-mart…”


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SUMMARY

Characteristics of the threat Hardening vehicles Convoy briefing Convoy execution Forms of attack IED attack


33

SUMMARY(Continued)

Consolidation and reorganization Release Point Activities Gun trucks Gun truck crew duties Hardening and arming gun trucks Gun truck employment

convoy survivability 144 elo h conduct actions at the release point (rp)

Documents

gun shields

best gun trucks

drivers gun trucks

ideal gun truck armor

ideal ratio of gun trucks

caliber machine gun

box type gun truck

recognizing attacks