Military

TA.1 Positive Trend 2: Battle Drills

4QFY94

SUCCESS 2-1: Live fire exercises:

1. Platoons continue to execute the Knock out a bunker battle drill successfully as part of a movement to contact live-fire exercise.
2. They successfully execute the Enter and clear a trenchline battle drill during the deliberate attack of a trenchline live-fire exercise.

1-3QFY95

SUCCESS 2-2: Repeat of Success 2-1, PLUS:

1. Both missions require soldiers to employ fragmentation grenades to clear bunkers and on entry into and around comers in the trenchline.
2. Platoons have executed these battle drills as specified in FM 7-8.

4QFY95/1QFY96

SUCCESS 2-3: On contact: soldiers rapidly develop the situation and quickly execute the battle drill in the absence of orders from leaders.

1. Sound squad and platoon movement techniques facilitate transition to battle drills.
2. Leaders must continually analyze the terrain, the enemy situation and anticipate contact during movement.
3. Battle drills must become second nature and well rehearsed.
   - reaction must be instantaneous.
   - hesitation gets soldiers killed.

TA.1 Positive Trend 3: Aircrew Coordination/Task Execution

4QFY94

SUCCESS 3-1:

1. Aircrews conduct thorough planning
2. They execute assigned tasks to standard.
3. Home station air crew training manual (ATM) emphasis has produced highly proficient crews.
4. The ability to operate at night provides brigade commander a viable maneuver force.

1-3QFY95

SUCCESS 3-2: Pickup Zone operations have improved considerably.

4QFY95/1QFY96

SUCCESS 3-3: Aviation task forces routinely demonstrate a superior ability to react to change. From major last minute changes on battalion-sized air assaults to "911" hasty attacks, aviation task forces accomplish the mission.

1. For 24 hour operations: assign the most proficient crews to night operations.
   - Accept the inherent tactical risk during day operation.

   Adapt to OPFOR daytime target acquisition by selecting higher energy movement techniques while conducting tactical operations.

   Restrict changes to the Air Movement Table (AMT) after the Air Movement Brief (AMB).

   Enforce quality control in checking load rigging.

   Ensure communications at the pickup zone (PZ) control.

   Maintain trained hook-up teams

   Prepare and maintain simple, comprehensive SOPs which specify the minimum information and planning required to execute mission changes.

   Ensure compliance with SOPs.

   Conduct Home Station battle drill training to develop companies and teams capable of successfully executing mission changes with minimal planning time.

TA.1 Positive Trend 4: Soldier Load

4QFY95/1QFY96

SUCCESS 4-1: Leaders are doing an outstanding job of managing soldier load.

RESULT: Unencumbered by heavy loads, soldiers move quicker, cover more terrain and are better able to fix and finish an enemy force on contact.

2-3QFY96

SUCCESS 4-2: Repeat of Success 4-1.

1. Cache rucks in patrol bases.
2. Make use of butt packs or assault packs.
3. Use one ruck per squad with essential cold weather gear for the squad.
4. Conduct pre-combat inspections to enforce load discipline.
5. Push forward duffel bags from the field trains during extended lulls in contact to allow soldiers to cross-level clothing and equipment.
6. Doctrinal references: FM 7-10 (chapter 8, section III) and FM 21-18 contain detailed discussion on load planning, calculating and management.

1. Establish and enforce combat and sustainment loads.
2. Minimize the weight soldiers carry.
   - cross-level critical squad supplies
   - consolidate cold weather gear to

   Establish fighting loads (rucks) and approach march loads (assault and butt packs) during contact.

TA.1 Positive Trend 5: Negotiate Terrain

1-3QFY95

SUCCESS 5-1: Vehicle maneuver at the section and platoon level continues to improve over the last two quarters.

1. Use of terrain to mask movement and allow mutual support from wingman vehicles.
2. Emphasis on off-road movement rather than sole reliance on roads.

SUCCESS 5-2: Long Range Surveillance Detachments (LRSD) conduct land navigation and movement techniques to standard.

1. Maintain proficiency in basic skills such as azimuth and pace count.
2. Team members should always know their location within 100 meters.
3. Use GPS as to verify location. Do not completely rely on GPS.
4. Maintain dispersion. Adapt formations to the terrain and visibility.
5. Restrict movement during daylight hours.
6. Use experienced soldiers at point to enhance command and control.

Table of Contents
Section I: Positive Performance Table of Contents
TA. 2, Fire Support