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

After action report

Objectives:

Redeploy to GSIM cave to recover Strykers, move to 10 POIs in the AO to destroy GSIM personnel/materiel, recover POWs, and capture intel.

Accidents:

NSTR.

Areas of Strength:

Convoy organization: Widowmakers formed up by Squads quickly, loading and mounting Strykers ahead of schedule; drivers formed the convoy and conducted radio checks efficiently, saving further time, and allowing the Platoon to move early. React to Contact: Throughout First Platoon's and the 2 Sections' movements in the AO, Squads repeatedly made contact with both entrenched and mobile EI/technicals/BTRs; Squads and Fireteams employed fires and movements per BD 1. with superb effect, destroying a large number of enemy forces; and elements reinforced and supported each other throughout the movement. Platoon Net Comms: Squad Leaders and 2ICs maintained excellent comms with Platoon HQ elements and one another, coordinating effective attacks on enemy positions; and leaders managed air reinserts and extraction, further supporting First Platoon's momentum.

Areas of Weakness:

Convoy Comms: Drivers must maintain contact with leaders and each other throughout the convoy's movements, with first/last vics calling waypoints, turns, and obstacles; TCs should also coordinate with each other to ensure proper speed, vehicle intervals, and maneuvers through obstacles. PID: There was a Blue-on-Blue incident at POI 7, the Platoon's final target; combat leaders must maintain strong situational awareness of their AO, especially when moving toward friendly/unknown positions; and Soldiers should use optics, Blue Force Tracker, and/or radios to identify contacts before firing on them. Boarding helos: Squad Leaders need to ensure their Soldiers are aware of incoming helos and ready to move to the LZ; all Soldiers should be on the bird(s) within 1 Mike of touchdown; and if you've got wounded/unconscious Soldiers, tourniquet them and carry them to/load them into the birds for treatment en route to base!

Suggested Improvements:

First Platoon will train on movement using helicopters, in addition to ongoing Stryker convoy exercises. Platoon leadership will meet with Squad Leaders to ensure PID best pratices are always used.

Overall Outcome:

Positive

Summary:

First Platoon formed up at FOB Silver Shield and mounted 1x CH-47 and 1x MH-60 for reinsert at LZ Sunken Rock. There, Widowmakers mounted their Strykers and formed a convoy moving west. We moved to Phaseline Alpha, shifted north, and conducted a platoon assault on POI 1, destroying a number of GSIM contacts, vehicles, weapons, and supplies. The Platoon continued north to Phaseline Bravo and conducted an assault on POI 2, destroying more enemy contacts and gear. From here, the Platoon split, with First and Second Squads forming Section 1 and Third and Fourth Squads in Section 2. Continuing our momentum, Section 1 moved east-northeast while Section 2 maneuvered north, clearing POI 3 and destroying additional enemy equipment.

Section 1 reached Phaseline Charlie first and attacked POI 4 while Section 2 moved east. Each Section continued fire and movement eastward to Phaseline Delta, eliminating EI, technicals, and weapons caches at each contact. From that point, First Platoon conducted its final assaults on POIs 6 and 7, once again eliminating heavy contacts therein. With these positions cleared, Widowmakers rallied on POI 7, established an LZ. Despite notice of the incoming birds, several Squads took nearly 5 Mikes to mount their bird. Despite this slow movement, First Platoon successfully exfilled to FOB Silver Shield for debrief. We cleared 7 out of 10 POIs. The Mission started at 1458 and ended at 1730. Mission was a COMPLETED.

Annex A.1

Annex A.2