1/A-CO, 1-2IN - Alpha Company, First Platoon

After action report

Objectives:

Rescue 3 X US Tourists that were kidnapped by the GSIM, locate and destroy weapon caches, eliminate enemy operating base locations. 

Accidents:

X 1 Destroyed HMMWV (M2) Significantly Wounded In Action Leaders: 3 X 1LT B.Lambert, 1 X SFC C.Brock, 1 X SSG G.Tucci Killed In Action Leaders: 1 X SSG K.Grigorov

Areas of Strength:

Communications: Widowmaker elements at all levels maintains effective radio comms during the attack on the base, coordinating fires and movements to establish and hold security. Time management: Squad Leaders ensured speedy employment of their forces on the battlefield, assuming their posts quickly during the initial attack as well as the platoon assault on an enemy staging point. Fire and Maneuver: Squads coordinated bounds to and assaults on enemy forces with one another very well, surpressing and attacking through insurgent positions with good effect. Successful Positive Identification of Targets: The ability to identify friendly and enemy targets was great.

Areas of Weakness:

Mine/IED Detection: Squad Leaders and Fireteam Leaders should carry mine detectors in their kit due to enemy forces' frequent use of AP/AT mines in the AO; Soldiers, listen up during briefs to ensure you know what to expect in the field! 360° Security: Widowmakers must maintain 360° security at all times everywhere; in general, each Squad should take a compass point and cover that arc at base and in the field; even during movements, Soldiers must remain aware of the situation and potential/likely routes of enemy movement. React to Indirect Fire: When you hear a mortar or arty screaming down on your location, call, "Incoming!", hit the dirt, and crawl to cover; maintain 20m intervals to avoid a Mass-Cas due to IDF. Combat Fatigue and Combat Stress: This was pretty evident throughout the combat mission. We had a lot of soldiers enduring either combat fatigue or combat stress due to exhaustion.

Suggested Improvements:

Soldiers let's ensure we submit TPR under Op. Center and are not being marked Absent!

Overall Outcome:

Positive

Summary:

Alpha Company, First Platoon was tasked with moving to Objective Starfish to rescue three United States Citizens that have been kidnapped by the GSIM two months earlier. Due to the fact that the GSIM is using an old abandoned forward operating base, soldiers were briefed that weapon caches might be present, if any are found, they were to be marked, and destroyed by demolition blocks, or by air assets. Alpha Company, First Platoon was briefed at 1515 EST by Platoon Leader 1LT B.Lambert and Platoon Sergeant SFC C.Brock. 

Suddenly whilst 1LT B.Lambert was briefing troops on Commanders Intent, a vehicle explosive device (VBIED) detonated at the east gate. The Agadez Airbase immediately went into lockdown as enemy insurgents attacked from the south before proceeding with attacks from the north-west region of the base. All soldiers equipped arms and proceeded to defensive positions to engage the enemy contact.

Throughout the attack on Agadez Airbase Widowmakers and Falcons were hit quite hard, multiple soldiers were killed in action and overwhelmed by the enemy force. The enemy insurgents breached the base and entered through into the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Headquarters side of the base, during this time all airframes were grounded due to the enemy's strategic placement of indirect fire. We located the origin of indirect fire and First Platoon began the assault on the enemy position. Soldiers assaulted the position conducting a Platoon attack and successfully eliminated all enemy insurgents. 

Widowmakers returned to base and were debriefed by Platoon Leader 1LT B.Lambert and Platoon Sergeant SFC C.Brock alongside Company Leadership. Mission was  COMPLETED.