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"Bn TF capabilities to plan and use Vulcan assets were not adequate. Bn TF's were not experienced in supporting the ADA platoon; CSS problems were experienced."

"In order to provide adequate air defense to the task force, the Vulcan platoon must be split into pairs so that each axis has Vulcan guns. Air defense of the task force is enhanced when splitting the Vulcans, because it gives the task force a gun/missile mix along each axis."

Stingers (Commander's Comments):

"Give Stinger teams the same protection and mobility as the unit they are supporting."

"TF was forced to have Stinger teams ride on or in M113 vehicles organic to the company. This caused ADA coverage within the company to suffer because Stinger teams were seldom given time to dismount during enemy air. Secondly...resupply of Class V was problem. They couldn't carry enough with them because of lack of space for a substantial mission. ADA coverage within companies suffered because of the lack of a dedicated ADA vehicle."

NTC Lessons Learned Analysis:

Possible solutions to these Stinger problems are discussed in NTC Newsletter #3, 1 Sep 86. The availability of M113s as dedicated carriers is the biggest problem. A possible solution is to transfer M113s from Chaparral platoons to the Stinger sections of the Vulcan batteries. Future TOE requirements mandate that Chaparrals become a corps asset. The transferring of M113s has merit only if divisional ADA units retain the Chaparral assets.

Command and Control (Commander's Comments):

"Difficulty was encountered in controlling air defense assets as well as communicating early warning of hostile aircraft to supported units."

"The air defense platoon leader is the commander's air defense expert, use him. Include him in planning, listen to his recommendations, task him to plan and coordinate effective Air Defense coverage for the Task Force."

"The Vulcan platoon leader must be involved as the TF air defense officer in all stages of planning to ensure that the total air defense plan supports the scheme of maneuver on two or more separate axes. Priorities of ADA protection must be designated in the OPORD. Attachment of Stinger gunners to teams is the best solution during offensive operations. The best placement of these gunners is with the team commander or on one of the mechanized platoon leaders' vehicles. Remember these gunners must dismount in order to engage. In the defense, the gunners should be under task force control, and specifically, under the control of the Vulcan platoon leader so as to properly ensure the proper mix, coverage, and position preparation. Small arms air defense must be continually stressed. Training should be emphasized to the point where small arms weapons are up, searching, and engage when enemy air attacks."

NTC Lessons Learned Analysis:

A possible solution to the problem is addressed in the NTC Lessons Learned Newsletter #2, dated 1 May 86. A Stinger team usually rides with either the FIST or the infantry company XO. Utilizing this piggyback technique gives a Stinger team armor protection. The Stinger sergeant can provide early warning to the Stinger gunners over the task force's command net through the company team commander. Utilization of the "Cardinal Direction" method is the simplest and fastest means of passing early warning. For example, "Enemy air coming in from the East" is sufficient.

Terrain Utilization for Survivability (Commander's Comments):

"Terrain should always be used to a tactical advantage .... The crew must fight both an air battle and a ground battle .... terrain requirements which best satisfy one mission will least satisfy the other .... It is not enough to say that mission accomplishment always takes priority because careless employment that supports aircraft destruction, but needlessly exposes a critical ADA asset to hostile ground fire is operationally unsound. In the SHORAD air battle .... the squad leader is the key decision-maker on the battlefield .... His terrain analysis and decisions will result in either satisfactory or unsatisfactory balance of the dual requirements of mission accomplishment and survivability with a corresponding impact on the supported operation...."

NTC Lessons Learned Analysis:

The SHORAD squad leaders must be as proficient at reading terrain as they are at reading maps. Reading the terrain is the ability to analyze unfamiliar terrain quickly and accurately for operational impacts on mission accomplishment. It is imperative that our NCOs have the confidence and abilities, resulting from demanding training, to execute to the highest degree of proficiency. TOE units must develop training programs that are realistic and demanding to allow our NCOs to gain proficiency at terrain analysis. Unit training programs must be combined arms oriented to familiarize the SHORAD squad leader with how his terrain analysis skills will impact on the ability to perform on air defense missions with a combined arms task force.

Training (Commander's Comments):

"The ADA platoon leader constantly has commo problems and very seldom submits required reports on time. The ADA Vulcan platoon usually only works with the TF for two days on the TF FTX. The platoon is usually a "no show" because of other commitments which prevented their participation. Because the ADA elements were not readily available, they were not an integral part of the train up and prevented the building of a well coordinated staff effort. It is of prime importance they be identified early and stabilized if possible. This will significantly enhance the train-up and TF cohesion."

"Brigade commanders should train combined arms. The brigade commander, supported by the division and air defense battalion commander, should provide habitual air defense assets to the task force during collective training. Command and staff training at battalion level must include special staff officers. Home station combined arms training should be evaluated to insure that the task force and air defense elements are training to doctrinal standards."

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