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FOREWORD

This newsletter contains a number of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) from Task Force Eagle's operations in the former Yugoslavia. Each was either submitted by a unit or soldier or observed by a member of the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) Combined Arms Assessment Team (CAAT) who worked within the division either at the headquarters or with a subordinate unit. However, one of the lessons, not obvious to the reader, is the process in which each TTP was obtained.

Task Force Eagle, and its commander particularly, embraced the lesson process. It should be no wonder why there were so few incidents, resulting in death or serious injury to soldiers during the first six months of Task Force Eagle's deployment - - even though the soldiers were operating in an environment where death or injury was literally a step away. Every operation, including routine convoys and other seemingly mundane tasks, was followed by an after-action review. The TTP from the after-action reviews were documented and maintained by the unit. If the TTP was significant, it was submitted to CALL. CALL was tasked by the Commander, Task Force Eagle, to publish a lesson every 72 hours. CALL would then disseminate the TTP to every platoon-level unit in the division, including the multinational brigades attached to Task Force Eagle. The LATEST LESSON, as it was titled, was also sent to units via E-mail and the Maneuver Control System (MCS).

The TTP in this newsletter can serve several purposes. Most are oriented at company and below with particular emphasis on soldier skills peculiar to the operational environment in Bosnia. Others are of value to battalions and even brigades that may be tasked to conduct an operation similar to JOINT ENDEAVOR. The subject area usually begins with a vignette that actually occurred, followed by a discussion, and then the TTP. The vignette can be used for training scenarios and the TTP can be the baseline for establishing unit standing operating procedures. What leaders should take away from this newsletter is the methodology used by Task Force Eagle to obtain and disseminate the TTP.

Clearly, the discipline and professionalism of the Task Force Eagle soldiers were the determining factors in the success of the division. Nonetheless, as a "learning organization," Task Force Eagle recognized mistakes that were made and took the necessary steps to ensure they were not repeated. That, in itself, could be the greatest TTP.

EDWARD J. FITZGERALD III
COL, IN
Director, Center for Army Lessons Learned

Chapter I: Mines, Booby Traps, Field Expedients, and Mine Clearance