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

After action report

Objectives:

Conduct mounted patrol through 6x civilian villages/camps, distribute medical supplies to residents, and obtain intel on the location of a missing civilian doctor.

Accidents:

1x Stryker (M2) lost to RPG fire

Areas of Strength:

Time Use: Widowmakers moved quickly to load, form, and move its convoy throughout the patrol; combat leaders demonstrated high initiative in organizing and supervising their Soldiers; and First Platoon successfully conducted a 25km convoy, reaching and accomplishing each objective. 360° Security: Throughout our mounted and dismounted operations, Squads maintained situational awareness, repeatedly engaging contacts prior to being engaged; and Soldiers utilized cover to protect their assets convoy halts and static defense. PID: First Platoon demonstrated excellent fire discipline, confirming and calling out hostile contacts prior to engagement; and Widowmakers eliminated a substantial number of GSIM militants while defending and caring for civilians in the AO.

Areas of Weakness:

Comms: Widowmakers need to improve comms at all stages of a patrol; TCs and drivers should be in their vics first in order to set and check radios; Drivers, maintain comms with the Convoy Command/Assistant Convoy Commander and the other drivers, with the first and last vics calling waypoints, turns, and other pertinent information; and likewise, during dismounted operations, maintain comms with all Widowmaker elements to coordinate and improve the use of fires, medical aid, and more; and Squad Leaders, call in reports before I ask you to! ND: There were 2x negligent discharges during the patrol; enough is enough, there will be consequences.

Suggested Improvements:

Platoon HQ will work with Squads on comms, providing additional training and coordinating "inter-Squad" field work to improve tactical use. Widowmakers will also continue to focus on PID and fire discipline in order to establish a culture of awareness and responsibility in the use of our weapons.

Overall Outcome:

Positive

Summary:

Having held at Camp Silver Dagger, from there First Platoon conducted a presence patrol within the area west of that fortification. Moving out ahead of schedule, Widowmakers moved to the first village, AKA CIV1, and spoke with residents without incident, distributing much-needed medical supplies. From there, the platoon continued west to CIV2, taking contact just outside the small village. This enemy element was been attacking CIV2 before it shifted to engage our positions. Inside, Soldiers located and secured a wounded civilian. It was discovered that GSIM forces had just attacked him and left after failing to make a trade deal with him.

Moving to CIV3, First Platoon located a neutral militia encampment. There, Widowmaker leaders spoke with militants and distributed medical aid. At the same time, GSIM forces, apparently unhappy with our discussions at CIV3, attacked with mechanized infantry and armor. These enemy formations were quickly destroyed. New intel indicated that CIV4 was completed abandoned. Company confirmed that that location was no longer relevant to our patrol. Widomakers received the order to move directly to CIV 5.

At CIV5, Soldiers discovered a partially demolished village with a mass grave inside. The community is part of a regional economic coalition, in which each of the villages we had visited traded with one another for basic needs. GSIM had ambushed and hijacked one of the network's fuel convoy, resulting in the numerous casualties (10 +/1 dead). Widowmakers provided basic aid and distributed medical supplies to wounded villagers. The missing doctor has not been seen for several weeks, and is presumed to be held captive to treat wounded GSIM fighters or is already dead. It is clear he was moved to a GSIM camp or base as yet unknown.

From CIV5, First Platoon continued to our final objective at CIV6. Widowmakers formed to conduct a Platoon Assault on the village, which was reported to be hostile to US forces. As we kicked the attack off, enemy forces within the objective mobilized, using a technical, armor, and IEDs to disrupt our attack. Victor 5 suffered a catastrophic hit from enemy armor fire. Despite heavy casualties from IEDs and a tank, Soldiers cleared the village and pulled the wounded back to a CCP. With the final village secured and the wounded back on their feet, First Platoon was RTB at Camp Silver Dagger. The mission started at 1458 and ended at 1730. Mission was COMPLETED.

Annex A.1