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VIGNETTE

At 1700 19 Dec, the soldiers of B/4-6th Inf were briefed on the details of the plan to secure the Commandancia. The leaders knew they would have to maneuver through the city to reach their objectives and anticipated heavy resistance from the Panama Defense Forces (PDF). Photos and actual reconnaissance to the area revealed multi-story buildings along B Co's axis of advance. The PDF would be able to use these buildings as defensive positions and engage the vehicles moving down the street. To provide added protection for the infantry riding in the open cargo hatches, squad leaders supervised the sandbagging of vehicles. Sandbags were piled three deep on the tops of the M113s. As B Co crossed its line of departure and moved along its axis of advance, it was met with small arms and antiarmor fires. The infantry engaged the targets and eventually suppressed them. When crews examined their vehicles, they found that the sandbags had absorbed several hits from small arms and shrapnel, saving several soldiers from serious injury.

KEY POINTS

The M113, M551 (Sheridan) and HMMWV performed well, often exceeding expectations. The M113 proved to be an excellent vehicle in MOUT. Infantry firing from the open cargo hatch, in conjunction with the pintle-mounted .50-cal machinegun, were easily able to engage targets on roof tops and maintain 360-degree surveillance as they moved through the city. The M551 in support of light infantry was a very effective gun system. It provided direct fire support from overwatch positions and blew entry holes in buildings for infantry assaults. Both the M113 and the M551 were very useful at roadblocks and for fire-power demonstrations. The HMMWV was reliable, durable and battleworthy. The run-flat tires and the ground speed of the HMMWVs saved lives. Vehicles with tires shot out were able to move through the killing zones of ambushes. The enhancement of the HMMWV with the .50-cal machinegun enabled commanders to project combat power far more rapidly than by foot.

LESSONS LEARNED

• Sandbags improve the survivability of thin-skinned and armored vehicles in MOUT. Sandbags protect soldiers from ricochets, sniper rounds and fragments. Sandbagging vehicles also gave a limited standoff protection from RPG rounds fired from above.